Pulsed-laser deposition of “diamond-like” carbon coating on YBa2Cu3O7 high-Tc superconductor films

The possibility of fabrication of diamond-like coating on high-Tc superconductors is investigated. Carbon thin films were deposited on single-crystal YBa2Cu3O7 film substrates by pulsed-laser sputtering of graphite targets. Deposition at room temperature yields diamond-like films with high optical transmission, high resistivity, and good adhesion to unpretreated substrates. Degradation of superconducting properties or deterioration of mechanical characteristics of YBa2Cu3O7 films was not observed after carbon deposition and subsequent low-temperature thermocycling. The water-protective properties of these diamond-like coatings were investigated.