Abstract: We have developed a novel flash heating growth process (~50 times faster than conventional ones) that shows high compatibility with the fabrication of chemical solution deposited YBa₂Cu₃O_7-δ films. We have set up, for the first time, a full image describing the intermediate phase and microstructure evolution during this thermal process. After a series of optimization of growth parameters, this process was shown to be efficient for both the epitaxial growth of YBCO films on CeO₂ buffered tapes and the preparation of high quality YBCO ultrathin films. Using this thermal process, nanoparticle concentration in nanocomposite films can reach record load of 20 mol% with good performance. More importantly, it provides an attractive microstructural landscape which is beneficial to the enhancement of pinning performance.

Supervisor: 

• Xavier Obradors, SUMAN group, ICMAB
• Mariona Coll, SUMAN group, ICMAB

PhD Committee: 

• President: Francisco Rivadulla Fernández, University of Santiago de Compostela
• Secretary: Elena Bartolomé, ICMAB
• Vocal: Giuseppe Celentano, Agenzia Nazionale per le Nuove Tecnologie, l'Energia e lo Sviluppo Economico Sostenibile (ENEA), Italy