High critical current YBCO coated conductors based on IBAD MgO

This report describes recent developments of second-generation Y1Ba2Cu3O7-delta (YBCO) coated conductors deposited on biaxially textured MgO templates. The materials system architecture implemented to achieve high critical currents in YBCO films is described. The average full-width at half maximum (FWHM) in-plane texture obtained for MgO films processed on meter-length tapes is 7degrees, while that for the YBCO films is 3degrees. The best YBCO in-plane values approach 2degrees and the out-of-plane values approach 1degrees. Critical currents (1 cm wide tapes, 75 K, self field) have attained 423 A for 7 cm length and 233 A for 50 cm length tapes. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.