Inclined-substrate deposition of biaxially textured magnesium oxide thin films for YBCO coated conductors

Highly textured MgO films were grown by the inclined-substrate deposition (ISD) technique at a high deposition rate. A columnar grain with a roofing-tile-shaped surface was observed in these MgO films. X-ray pole figure, and phi- and omega-scan were used to characterize in-plane and out-of-plane textures. MgO films deposited when the incline angle alpha was 55degrees and 30degrees exhibited the best in-plane and out-of-plane texture, respectively. High-quality YBCO films were epitaxially grown on ISD-MgO-buffered Hastelloy C substrates by pulsed laser deposition. T-c = 88 K, with sharp transition. and j(c), values of approximate to2 x 10(5) A/cm(2) at 77 K in zero field were observed on films 5 mm wide and 1 cm long. This work has demonstrated that biaxially textured ISD MgO buffer layers deposited on metal substrates are excellent candidates for fabrication of high-quality YBCO coated conductors. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.