Abstract

The discovery of high temperature superconductivity (HTS) has created the opportunity for major extensions of current electron device applications of superconductivity, including opening up the possibility of integration of superconductivity with semiconductor devices. However, due to the difficult nature of the presently known HTS materials, the actual realization of this opportunity faces severe challenges. In this talk I will describe recent advances in, and current prospects for, the production of high quality, well-oriented HTS films with acceptable superconducting properties on technologically useful substrates, both insulating and semiconducting. Emphasis will be given to the discussion of new and improved techniques for the lower temperature growth and in-situ formation of the superconducting phase. The stability of current HTS materials will be discussed. I will also report on successful techniques for the formation of very low resistance contacts to HTS films and for the patterning of epitaxial films to micrometer, and possibly submicrometer, dimensions. The most recent results on the microwave and millimeter wave surface losses of high quality HTS material will be presented, as well as results on picosecond pulse propagation experiments on transmission lines formed from epitaxial HTS films.

© 1989 Optical Society of America