A Study of Grain Boundaries in High TC Superconducting Yba2Cu3O7-x Thin Films Using High Resolution Analytical Stem

Abstract

AbstractGrain boundaries in thin films of high Tc YBa2Cu3O7-x superconductors have been investigated with high resolution scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) imaging and nanoprobe energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) analysis. Atomic resolution images indicate that the grain boundaries are mostly clean, i.e., free of a boundary layer of different phase or of segregation, and are often coherent. EDX microanalysis with a 10 Å spatial resolution also indicates no composition deviation at the grain boundaries.