Scanning probe microscopy studies of the substrate annealing effect on Y1Ba2Cu3O7−x thin film growth

Abstract The effect of substrate annealing on the growth of Y 1 Ba 2 Cu 3 O 7−x (YBCO) thin films has been studied by STM observations of thin films prepared on non-annealed and high temperature annealed substrates. Experimental results show that the high density of terrace steps formed on the substrate surface in the high temperature annealing process play a dominant role in governing the film growth mechanism which determines the surface morphology, microstructure and superconducting properties of the film.