Reversible Laser Modification of High Temperature Superconducting Y-Ba-Cu-O Films

Abstract

ABSTRACTWe describe a reversible technique for locally modifying the oxygen stoichiometry and electrical transport properties of superconducting thin films. A focused argon ion laser beam is scanned across the surface of a YBa2Cu3O7-x thinfilm, contained in a vacuum, at incident power levels well below those necessary for ablation. The change in oxygen stoichiometry is monitored in-situ by the room temperature electrical resistance. We have measured the superconducting properties of these locally modified films. The resulting R vs T curve for the composite structure (film/laserstripe/film) shows the expected double transition. The first transition, corresponding to the unmodified film, occurs at 87 K while the second transition, corresponding to the modified stripe, occurs at a lower temperature and is a function of the laser induced change in the room temperature electrical resistance. The critical current for the composite structure is depressed from the original film. The laser writing can be erasedor bleached out by room temperature exposure to an oxygen plasma.