Pixel-Cell Neutron Detector and Read-Out System Meeting Requirements of Present and Future Neutron Scattering Facilities

65487 High current-carrying conductors for various applications can be fabricated by using a coating of high-temperature superconductor such as YBa2Cu3O7 (YBCO) on a suitable metallic tape. However, YBCO films deposited directly on polycrystalline metal substrates exhibit poor superconducting properties at liquid nitrogen temperature. A textured buffer layer on the metal substrates should allow for the growth of YBCO films with high critical current density. This project will develop in-plane textured Yttria Stabilized Zirconia (YSZ) films on Hastelloy substrates (tapes) using an unbalanced magnetron sputtering technique. In Phase I, a radio frequency, unbalanced magnetron sputtering technique will be used to deposit in-plane textured YSZ films on Hastelloy substrates. Process parameters will be optimized through measurements of x-ray phi scan analysis. The feasibility of deposition on long length of Hastelloy tapes will be demonstrated using a reel-to-reel sputter deposition system. Commercial Applications And Other Benefits as described by awardee: The technology should result in a significant breakthrough in eliminating barriers to the manufacturing of superconducting tapes. YBCO films grown on polycrystalline metallic alloys have applications in accelerators and storage rings, electric power, and energy storage systems.