Journal of Crystal Growth, Vol.213, No.3-4, 312-318, 2000
Liquid-phase epitaxial growth of REBa2Cu3O7-delta (RE = Y, Yb, Er) thick films at reduced temperatures
Thick films of REBa2Cu3O7-delta (RE = Y, Yb and Er) {REBCO}, such as YBCO, YbxEr1-xBCO and YbxY1-xBCO, have been grown on LaAlO3, NdGaO3, SrTiO3, MgO and Ni/NiO substrates by liquid-phase epitaxy (LPE). Films of thickness up to 15 mu m were groan at a mean rate of 1-2 mu m/min, with excellent in-plane and c-texture and 100% density. T-c's of 90 K and J(c)'s over 10(5) A/cm(2) at 77 K have been achieved. The solubility of YbBCO and Yb1-xErxBCO in a Ba:Cu = 2:5 solution was measured by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). Mixing the REs led to a large increase in the overall RE solubility at the temperatures close to the peritectic. Suitable compositions and combinations of different RE ions have allowed us to use growth temperatures as low as 880 degrees C.