Epitaxial YBa₂Cu₃O₇ on biaxially textured nickel (001): An approach to superconducting tapes with high critical current density

In-plane-aligned, c axis-oriented YBa₂Cu₃O₇ (YBCO) films with superconducting critical current densities J(c) as high as 700,000 amperes per square centimeter at 77 kelvin have been grown on thermomechanically rolled-textured nickel (001) tapes by pulsed-laser deposition. Epitaxial growth of oxide buffer layers directly on biaxially textured nickel, formed by recrystallization of cold-rolled pure nickel, made possible the growth of YBCO films 1.5 micrometers thick with superconducting properties that are comparable to those observed for epitaxial films on single-crystal oxide substrates. This result represents a viable approach for the production of long superconducting tapes for high-current, high-field applications at 77 kelvin.