Novel Ultra-Fast Techniques to Deposit Epitaxial Layers for Low Cost 2G Conductors

One of the major factors that inhibits rapid throughput, and hence increases the cost, of coated conductors is the moderate deposition rate of high temperature superconducting films. Thus far, the approach has been to increase the deposition area using moderately rapid deposition techniques. By developing the industrial methods of ultra-fast deposition to produce coated conductors, the overall production time, and thus overall cost, of second generation coated conductors can be reduced. The Phase I project demonstrated the technical feasibility of the proposed approach. The Phase II effort will implement appropriate enhancement of ultra-fast growth rate continuous deposition, and enable further process scale-up. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: The ultra-fast deposition of high current carrying capacity superconducting wire will deliver low cost, high performance superconducting wire to commercial markets for integration into motors, transformers, transmission lines, and other devices.