Development of a new series of buffer layers for REBCO coated conductors

Dense, smooth, pinhole-free and crack-free epitaxial films of a new series of REBiO3 (RE = rare earth elements) compounds are prepared on single crystal LaAlO3 or SrTiO3 substrates by chemical solution deposition (CSD). Crystal structures, thermal properties, chemical stability, dielectric properties, and magnetic properties are studied. The pseudo-cubic lattice parameter of REBiO3 matches well with in-plan lattice parameters of corresponding REBa2Cu3Ox, Compounds (REBCO). No structural phase transition was observed at a temperature range of 750-1050 degrees C. YBCO superconducting epitaxial films with high performance are deposited on REBiO3 layers by a similar CSD approach. The superb properties of REBiO(3)recommcnd that they are potential low-cost buffer materials for REBCO coated conductors. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.