Non-vacuum YBCO films on buffer layered Ni tapes: Processing, growth and properties

YBCO thin films on buffer layered Ni tapes were investigated via a sol-gel technique. YBCO films were prepared using solutions of various Y, Ba, and C u precursor compounds. SrTiO3 was used on Ni tapes as a buffer layer. ESEM, EDS, and XRD analysis were used to characterize the YBCO films. Sol-gel YB CO coated conductor on buffer layered Ni tapes yielded a T-c 90 K by a tran sport 4-wire resistance measurement. The films produced in this manner were homogeneous, and free of pinholes and cracks.