Modeling of oriented growth of YBCO film deposited by MOD on STO substrate

Abstract In this work, we present experimental data on the chemical solution deposition of superconducting YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7− δ (YBCO) films by the low fluorine metal–organic decomposition technique. The growth of YBCO film on SrTiO 3 (STO) single crystal has been studied with particular attention to the degree of crystal orientation, along either the a or c axes, by varying the crystallization temperature and water partial pressure. The experimental data have been interpreted using a model based on the thermodynamics and kinetics of YBCO nucleation at solid surfaces. In the present form, the model has been reformulated to be more versatile for describing kinetic data. In addition, the description of the experimental data through the model requires considering the composition of Barium oxyfluoride as a function of water partial pressure, the adhesion work of YBCO/STO interface, the crystallization temperature and the partial pressure of water. The present study shows that a deeper understanding of the nucleation mechanism can lead to the improvement not only of the YBCO superconducting properties but also of the process robustness and reproducibility.