Slot Die Coating and Conversion of LZO on Rolling Assisted Biaxially Textured Ni-W Substrates With and Without a Very Thin Seed Layer in Low Vacuum

Slot die coating and conversion of La₂Zr₂O₇(LZO) buffer layers were performed on rolling assisted biaxially textured Ni-W with and without thin Y₂O₃ seed layers. The slot die coating, drying and processing were all performed using reel to-reel systems. The slot die coated LZO precursor films were then reacted under a variety of conditions and the texture and morphology development were characterized using optical microscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction. The conversion conditions were optimized to produce the highest degree of texture in the LZO films. This paper will describe the equipment used for depositing the LZO films and describe the texture and morphology of LZO films optimized for supporting the growth of high Ic (>300 amps per centimeter width) YBCO superconducting films.