Structural characterization of Yba2Cu3O7–δ/Y2O3 composite films

Abstract

Using 4-circle x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy, we have studied the microstructure and in-plane orientation of the phases present in thin film composite mixtures of Yba2Cu3O7–δ and Y2O3. We see a high degree of in-plane orientation and have verified a previous prediction for the in-plane order of Y2BaCuO5 on (110) MgO. Transmission electron microscopy shows the composite films to be a mixture of two phases, with YBCO grain sizes of ≈1 μm. We have also compared our observations of the in-plane order to the predictions of a modified near coincidence site lattice model.