Bi2Sr2Can-1CunO2(n+2)+δ thin films on c-axis oriented and vicinal substrates

Bi2Sr2Can-1CunO2(n+2)+delta (n = 1,2,3) thin films are prepared on c-axis oriented and vicinal substrates by pulsed-laser deposition. Optimization of substrate temperature, laser fluence and post-annealing conditions produces single-phase, well-oriented and smooth films. The surface morphology, texture, crystallinity and stoichiometry of Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+delta (Bi-2212) thin films strongly depend on the fabrication parameters. On (001) SrTiO3 substrates, c-axis oriented Bi-2212 films with J(c) (60 K) = 2 x 10(6) A/cm(2) and T-c0 = 82 K are obtained. Vicinal Bi-2212 films grown on miscut substrates reveal anisotropic resistivities independent of film thickness (20-300 am), high J(c) anisotropy and strong in-plane and out-of-plane texture. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.