Low temperature growth of superconducting thin films and heterostructures

Thin films of high Tc superconductor YBaCuO have been grown in-situ by a plasma assisted laser ablation technique. Introduction of the oxygen plasma has facilitated the growth of these films at a lower substrate temperature. The oriented growth of the films at low temperature is attributed to the increased ionic collisions at the substrate. The effect of the plasma on the quality of the deposited film is discussed. Heterostructures of non-magnetic/magnetic superconductors have been grown by this technique. The critical currents of these structures have been compared to that of single layer films. (orig.)