Atom probe analysis of a ceramic oxide superconductor

Abstract

Field-ion specimens have been produced from a bulk ceramic yttrium barium cuprate superconductor, allowing quantitative atom probe analysis from this new class of materials. This technique offers the potential for high-resolution quantitative analysis for oxygen concentrations in the near-surface regions and the study of microchemistry of contact/superconductor interfaces. Preliminary results are presented on bulk compositions and the surface modifications following vacuum annealing.