Imaging of current-induced superconducting-resistive transitions by scanning electron microscopy in laser-deposited superconducting thin films of Y1Ba2Cu3O7-x

We have investigated the transport current-induced resistive transitions in predominantly c-axis oriented crystalline Y1Ba2Cu3O7-x superconducting thin films with scanning electron microscopic (SEM) imaging and its correlation with dc current-voltage (I-V) measurements. We find that there is a nonlinear gradual transition region in the I-V curves that is caused by macroscopic effects (current ''crowding'', substrate defects, film thickness variation, etc.) and by microscopic dissipation effects. At a high current there is an abrupt transition to the normal state in the I-V curve due to Joule heating. The SEM mapping provides a direct image of the above effects and is useful for characterization and study of fundamental transport properties of high Tc thin films