A crucibleless liquid phase growth method of preparing the Y-Ba-Cu-O superconducting films

Superconducting Y-Ba-Cu-O film can be prepared by a liquid phase growth method without crucible on 96% and 99% alumina substrates. A buffer layer of sputtered gold or platinum was necessary for the formation of YBa2Cu3Ox phase. The flux of Ba3Cu7O10 was appropriate for this purpose. For a film of 10 mm x 20 mm x 103 micron, 0.6 to 0.8 gm initial weight was optimal, the optimum melting temperature was 1090 to 1110 degrees C for 20 - 30 minutes. In order to obtain films with superconducting transition, an additional Y2BaCuO5 underlayer was necessary. The resultant optimal films had Tc-onset of above 80 degrees K, and Tc-zero of typically around 60 degrees K