AFM nano-plough planar YBCO micro-bridges: Critical currents and magnetic field effects

Date
2010
Authors
Elkaseh A.A.O.
Perold W.J.
Srinivasu V.V.
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Abstract
The critical current (Ic) of YBa2Cu3O 7-x (YBCO) AFM plough micro-constrictions is measured as a function of temperature, width and the magnetic flux density (B), which was applied perpendicular to the YBCO ab-plane and surface of the bridges. C-axis oriented thin films of YBa2Cu3O7-x were deposited on MgO substrates using an inverted cylindrical magnetron (ICM) sputtering technique. The films were then patterned into 8-10 micron size strips, using standard photolithography and dry etching processes. Micro-bridges with widths between 1.9 μm to 4.1 μm were fabricated by using atomic force microscope (AFM) nanolithography techniques. Critical current versus temperature data shows a straight-line behavior, which is typical of constriction type Josephson junctions. The Ic versus B characteristics exhibited a modulation, and a suppression of the critical current of up to 84%. It was also found that the critical current increases with increasing constriction width. Copyright © 2010 American Scientific Publishers.
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Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
10
10
6510
6513