Tb and Ce Doped Y123 Films Processed by Pulsed Laser Deposition

Abstract

To evaluate possible flux pinning enhancement in YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7-z/ (Y123) films due to partial rare-earth ion substitutions, Ce and Tb doping are studied. Bulk ceramic targets of varying compositions (Y/sub 1-x/RE/sub x/Ba/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7-z/) were made with several doping levels (x=0.001 to 0.1, RE=Ce or Tb) by using regular solid-state reaction and sintering procedures. These targets were used to deposit Ce and Tb doped YBCO films onto SrTiO/sub 3/ single crystal substrates by pulsed laser ablation. Doped YBCO films were characterized for T/sub c/, magnetic field dependence of J/sub c/ (at 77 K), microstructure, and other properties. The results are compared to undoped YBCO films processed in similar manner.