Characterizing Structural Heterogeneity in Superconducting Epitaxial YBa 2 Cu 3 O$_{7-\delta }$ Thin Films
Abstract
Epitaxial YBa$\bf {_{2}}$Cu$\bf {_{3}}$O$\bf {_{7-\delta }}$/MgO thin films fabricated with pulsed laser deposition are grown as idealised epitaxial systems with a minimal number of different elements for X-ray absorption spectroscopy studies of irradiation damage. These films are characterised in terms of their superconducting performance, crystallinity, surface morphology, and Cu local environment. This reveals a structural heterogeneity of$\bf {[100]}$oriented material, referred to as “a-axis grains”, decorating the desired$\bf {[001]}$oriented phase of the thin film, coinciding with suppressed superconducting performance.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Physics of Superconductivity and Magnetism
Superconducting Materials and Applications
Electronic and Structural Properties of Oxides
Publication details
- Journal / source
- IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity
- Volume
- 36
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 1–5
- Publication date
- 27 January 2026