Pulsed-laser deposited protective 'diamond-like' carbon coatings on high-T-c superconductors

The fabrication of diamond-like coating on high-T-c superconductors is inve stigated. Carbon thin films were deposited on YBa2Cu3O7 single-crystal film by pulse-laser sputtering of graphite targets. Deposition at room temperat ure yields diamond-like films with high optical transmission, high resistiv ity, and good adhesion to unpretreated YBa2Cu3O7 Degradation of superconduc ting properties or deterioration of mechanical characteristics of YBa2Cu3O7 films was not observed after carbon deposition and subsequent low temperat ure thermocycling. The water-protective properties of these diamond-like co atings were investigated. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserve d.