Magnetic properties of YBa₂Cu₃O₇ superconducting thin films

Abstract

The magnetic properties of thin films of YBa₂Cu₃O_7−x prepared by reactive radiofrequency sputtering on single crystalzirconia substrates have been measured. In the best samples, the perpendicular low field susceptibility (B⊥ film plane) is found giant at low temperature, as expected from a large demagnetizing field. Critical currents have been estimated from the hysteresis loop. Preliminary measurements of the upper critical field are also reported.