Growth orientation and surface morphology of CeO2 films for high-Jc YBCO films on biaxially textured Ni tape by PLD

Epitaxial cerium oxide buffer layers were deposited on biaxially-textured (001) Ni tape using reel-to-reel pulsed laser deposition in a vacuum chamber. Relationship between microstructure and deposition parameters was systematically studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). We found the optimal deposition parameters for CeO2 buffer layer which were quite suitable for preparing high-Jc YBCO films. The relationship between CeO2 layer thickness and crack formation has also been discussed.