The effect of Y2O3 and YFeO3 additions on the critical current density of YBCO coated conductors

Abstract

The pinning mechanism of MOCVD-grown YBCO coated conductors with Y 2O3 precipitates was investigated by angle-resolved transport measurement of Jc in a wide range of temperature and magnetic fields. Aside from the Y2O3 nanoprecipitates, a-axis grains and threading dislocation along the c-axis were found in the YBCO layer. The Y2O3 precipitates are less effective pinning centers at lower temperature. The tapes with precipitates show a higher anisotropy with larger Jc at H || ab than H || c. This behavior was attributed to the preferred alignment of the nanoprecipitates along the ab-plane.