Magnetic flux channelling in YBa2Cu3O7-δ films grown by a chemical solution deposition technique on vicinal and non-vicinal substrates

Magneto-optical imaging of YBa2Cu3O7-δ films with high critical current density, synthesized by a cost-effective metal organic decomposition technique reveals inhomogeneous flux penetration in the specimens in the form of thin parallel lines. The origin of such a stripy pattern and its dependence on the sample preparation conditions and state of substrate is discussed. The stripes reflect accumulation of planar defects forming parallel lines of reduced in-plane critical current density, jc , perpendicular to planar defects and enhanced jc parallel to them. Such channel-like reduction and corresponding enhancement of jc is especially expressed in a sample deposited on vicinal substrate, which, as a consequence, demonstrates global temperature-dependent in-plane anisotropy with an anisotropy ratio up to 2.4. The directional enhancement of critical current density due to planar defects could be beneficial for practical use of superconducting films.