Crystalline growth rate and microstructure in YBaCuO thin films

The influence of the anisotropy of the crystalline growth rate on the micro structure and morphology of YBaCuO thin film deposited by laser ablation is studied by means of transmission electron microscopy. The results obtained from high resolution lattice imaging and large angle convergent beam diffr action, together with the investigations of the thin film surface morpholog y show the strong influence of the different crystalline growth rates on bo th the internal stress present in the YBaCuO film and the roughness of the outer surface. These results should be of prime importance for the supercon ducting properties. This is an essential in tailoring these thin films for device applications. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.