Thin film research

Alex de Lozanne at the University of Texas has succeeded in lowering the processing temperatures for superconducting thin films from yttrium barium copper oxide (YBCO). He and his colleagues may have taken major step toward commercializing electronic devices based on the oxide superconductors. This article describes how de Lozanne made his discovery. The availability of high-quality smooth films which can be manufactured at low temperatures will open a new phase of research on the oxide superconductors. In a sense, it will enable groups who want to make electronic devices to begin their investigations, just as high-quality superconducting wire will enable people to begin making magnets from high-Tc materials