Reduced Nonlinearity Superconducting Thin Films for Transmit and Receive Applications

This STTR Phase I project is directed towards the development of high performance large-area thick YBCO films on suitable single crystal substrates through solution approach for transmit and receive applications. Two architectures of multilayer (YBCO/CeO2)xn and single layer YBCO will be explored to accomplish thick films with low surface resistance and improved intrinsic nonlinearities as measured by intermodulation distortion. A unique modified TFA-MOD approach with each coat of about 0.6-0.8ƒÝm of YBCO and buffered with 100nm CeO2 will be used to build a sandwich structure with a total thickness of few microns. To achieve high performance thick YBCO films with improved microwave nonlinearity and power handling capability, layered growth mode is suggested and will be pursued by the control of driving force and saturation in precursor. With successful growth of high performance thick YBCO films, Stripline resonator will be built and measured. YBCO films by solution approach are cost effective and scalable technology. The proposed method is based on our previous success in making thick YBCO films. Hence, the use of solution route to make large area thick YBCO films for transmit and receive applications is a viable approach and the feasibility will be demonstrated in this Phase I research.