EVIDENCE FOR IMPROVEMENT OF CRITICAL CURRENT BY AG IN YBACUO-AG THICK-FILMS

The evidence is reported for enhancement of critical current density J(c) in YBa2Cu3O7-delta thick films with the addition of Ag, which is correlated with improvements in structural properties. An improvement of 50% in J(c) (up to approximately 500 A/cm2 at T = 4.2 K) was obtained in films made from YBCO + 60 wt % Ag powder, fabricated by the spin-on technique on (100) SrTiO3, which is correlated with improvements in structure. The resulting films are 10-mu-m thick, uniform, partially textured, and show good adherence. The critical temperature T(c) is improved by the addition of Ag, and a reduction in the density of microcracks and in the amount of secondary phases in the sintered films was observed. Normal-state resistivity is reduced by almost three orders of magnitude, making these films potentially useful for electronic applications in interconnects and novel hybrid circuits.