Enhanced flux pinning in pulsed laser deposited YBa2Cu3O7-δ:BaTiO3 nanocomposite thin films

The effect of incorporation of BaTiO3(BTO) nanoparticles on the flux pinning properties of pulsed laser deposited YBCO:BTO thin films was studied. Substantial increase in the critical current density (J(C)) and the pinning force density (F-p) of the nanocomposite thin films was observed. At 77 K, and zero applied magnetic field, the value of J(C) for YBCO and YBCO:BTO (2%) thin films were 2.93 MA/cm(2) and 6.43 MA/cm(2), respectively. At the same temperature and an applied magnetic field of 4 T, the value of J(C) increases from 3.6 x 10(4) A/cm(2) for YBCO thin film to 2.7 x 10(5) A/cm(2) for YBCO:BTO (2%) nanocomposite thin film. The study of temperature and field dependence of J(C) of YBCO and YBCO:BTO thin films indicates similar type of pinning. The lattice mismatch between YBCO and BTO seems to introduce more defects resulting in the improvement of flux pinning properties. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.