Preparation of Superconducting BaPb1-xBixO3 Thin Films by RF Sputtering

Abstract
Superconducting BaPb1-x Bi x O3 thin films were successfully prepared by RF diode sputtering with a relatively high deposition rate of 50–120 Å/min and subsequent heat treatments. Their superconducting transition onsets are about 8 K. It was found that high oxygen partial pressure was a requisite for the preparation of BaPb1-x Bi x O3 thin films. Low oxygen pressure during discharge brings about poor films with coarse surfaces which have semiconducting high resistivity and broad transition.