Structural characterization of YBa(2)Cu(3)O(7)/Y(2)O(3) composite films

TL;DR

This study investigates the microstructure and in-plane orientation of YBa(2)Cu(3)O(7)/Y(2)O(3) composite films using advanced microscopy and diffraction techniques, confirming theoretical predictions about their structural order.

Contribution

It provides detailed microstructural analysis of YBCO/Y2O3 composite films and verifies predictions of in-plane order using a modified lattice model.

Findings

High in-plane orientation observed in the composite films

YBCO grain sizes approximately 1 micron

Verification of in-plane order predictions with a lattice model

Abstract

Using 4-circle x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy we have studied the microstructure and in-plane orientation of the phases present in thin film composite mixtures of YBa(2)Cu(3)O(7) and Y(2)O(3). We see a high degree of in-plane orientation and have verified a previous prediction for the in-plane order of Y(2)BaCuO(5) on (110) MgO. Transmission electron microscopy shows the composite films to be a mixture of two phases, with YBCO grain sizes of 1 micron. We have also compared our observations of the in-plane order to the predictions of a modified near coincidence site lattice model.