REACTIVE LIQUID-PHASE SINTERING OF SOLUTION-DERIVED YBA2CU3O7-X SUPERCONDUCTING THIN-FILMS .1. AMBIENT AND PRECURSOR EFFECTS ON BAO-CUO LIQUID-PHASE FORMATION

Processing atmosphere and precursor effects on liquid phase formation were investigated in the BaO-CuO thin film system. Liquid phase was ob served at a significantly lower temperature (approximately 620-degrees -C) under N2 atmosphere with carboxylate solution precursors. In the p rocessing of the YBCO oxide superconductors, formation of the liquid p hase facilitated the decomposition of BaCO3 and crystallization of the YBCO grains. Larger grains and greater (00l) preferred orientation we re also observed in the YBCO films prepared with the presence of the l iquid phase.