YBCO thin film evaporation on as-deposited silver film on MgO

YBa2Cu3O7-delta (YBCO) thin film was evaporated on as-deposited Ag buffer l ayer on MgO substrate. A simple, inexpensive vacuum system equipped with on e resistively heated source was used. The subsequent heat treatment was car ried out under low oxygen partial pressure at a relatively low temperature and short dwelling time. The films thus obtained were characterized for ele ctrical properties using DC four-probe electrical measurements and inspecte d for structural properties and chemical composition by scanning electron m icroscopy (SEM). It is shown that YBCO thin film can grow on as-deposited t hin silver layer on MgO substrate. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All right s reserved.