The Structural Evolution of $(\hbox {Gd}, \hbox {Y}) \hbox {Ba}_{2}\hbox {Cu}_{3}\hbox {O}_{\rm x}$ Tapes With Zr Addition Made by Metal Organic Chemical Vapor Depositio

Structural analysis of (Gd, Y)Ba₂Cu₃O_x tapes with Zr addition made by metal organic chemical vapor deposition has been conducted with transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Zr content in the films was varied from 0 to 25% in the precursor. In all Zr-doped films, self-assembled nanocolumnar structures of BaZrO₃ (BZO) were observed along the c-axis. The amount of BaZrO₃ was found to increase steadily with Zr content. Additionally, planar BZO plates were found on the (001) plane of (Gd, Y)Ba₂ Cu₃Ox film. The size and thickness of BZO plates were seen to increase with Zr doping level. Rare-earth copper oxide phases were observed to begin to emerge in the 20 % Zr-doped film. Cross-sectional study of the interface between (Gd, Y)Ba₂Cu₃O_x and LaMnO₃ cap layer revealed a thin discrete BZO layer on the LaMnO₃ in the 20 % Zr doped film.