High critical current density superconducting tapes by epitaxial deposition of YBa2Cu3Ox thick films on biaxially textured metals

A method to obtain long lengths of flexible, biaxially oriented substrates with smooth, chemically compatible surfaces for epitaxial growth of high‐temperature superconductors is reported. The technique uses well established, industrially scalable, thermomechanical processes to impart a strong biaxial texture to a base metal. This is followed by vapor deposition of epitaxial buffer layers (metal and/or ceramic) to yield chemically compatible surfaces. Epitaxial YBa2Cu3Ox films grown on such substrates have critical current densities exceeding 105 A/cm2 at 77 K in zero field and have field dependencies similar to epitaxial films on single crystal ceramic substrates. Deposited conductors made using this technique offer a potential route for the fabrication of long lengths of high‐Jc wire capable of carrying high currents in high magnetic fields and at elevated temperatures.