Performant superconducting NdBa2Cu3O7 films grown by pulsed laser deposition at "low temperature" in an argon rich atmosphere

The high surface quality observed from the NdBa2CU3O7 films renders this ma terial very attractive for applications. In the present paper, we report on a pulsed laser deposition growth method, using an argon rich atmosphere in stead of oxygen, which allows the substrate temperature to be lowered to 76 0 degreesC instead of 870 degreesC. A two stage cooling process under argon and oxygen allows performant superconducting films to be grown: T-c= 93.6 K, J(c)(77 K) = 4 x 10(5) A cm(-2), with narrow transition and smooth surfa ce. These results are interpreted by the fact that an argon rich atmosphere favors the oxygen deficient NdBa2Cu3O6+x and consequently, hinders the mig ration of the neodymium towards the barium sites. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.