In order to investigate the relationship between critical current density, Jc, and dislocation density, the dislocations in conventional pulsed-laser deposition films, vapor-liquid-solid films, and low-temperature growth films were studied. The low-temperature growth and vapor-liquid-solid films had a high Jc in low magnetic fields. From observations of etch pits, it was found that the low-temperature growth and vapor-liquid-solid films had high dislocation densities. It was speculated that Jc in low magnetic fields was affected by the dislocation density. Low-temperature growth was effective in increasing the dislocation density without degrading the crystallinity or superconducting properties.

Dislocation Density and Critical Current Density of Sm1+xBa2-xCu3Oy Films Prepared by Various Fabrication Processes. M.Miura, Y.Yoshida, Y.Ichino, T.Ozaki, Y.Takai, K.Matsumoto, A.Ichinose, S.Horii, M.Mukaida: Japanese Journal of Applied Physics, 2006, 45[27], L701-4