Continuous YBa2Cu3O7-tape deposition by thermal evaporation

Ni and Ni-alloy rolling assisted biaxially textured substrates provided were used for the deposition of YBCO-coated conductors by thermal evaporation. The main advantages of this process are high volume deposition rates and low substrate temperatures of 680 C. A simple, economic, and thin 100 nm CeO2 buffer layer has turned out to be sufficient for high quality YBCO growth. For samples up to 20 cm long, Jc's of 1.2 MA/cm2 were achieved at 77 K and 2 mm thick films sustained transport currents beyond 150 A. The first continuously operating prototype tape deposition system based on thermal evaporation has been put into operation. A reel-to-reel tape winding mechanism is capable of handling YBCO and buffer layer deposition on tape 10 mm wide and up to 100 m long has been implemented. YBCO-deposition speed is 4 m/h for a 1 mm layer. 5 refs.