Generation of thick Ba₂YCu₃O₇ films by aerosol deposition

Thick superconducting films were fabricated by producing high-purity Ba2YCu3O7 particles by aerosol decomposition in a gaseous flow system, depositing the particles directly from the gas phase onto surfaces by thermophoresis, and then sintering and annealing the deposited particulate films in an oxygen flow. Particulate films with thicknesses of 1 mm were deposited on the inside surfaces of copper tubes and sintered to provide uniform adherent coatings with sharp superconducting transitions above 91 K. High-purity powders based on the Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O and Tl-Ca-Ba-Cu-O systems were also produced and sintered to form bulk ceramics with transitions at 80 and 110 K, respectively, suggesting that the process is general and can be used for a variety of materials. Advantages of the process include the ease of obtaining the correct oxygen content and the ability to fabricate thick films of fine grained material while minimizing exposure to carbon and other contaminants.