Structures with Three Dimensional Nanofences Comprising Single Crystal Segments

A method of fabricating an article comprising:

• a. providing a substrate having a surface;
• b. heating said substrate to a predetermined temperature;
• and
• c. co-depositing a material and a catalyst via a carrier gas onto said biaxially textured surface to grow a nanofence on said substrate, said nanofence comprising a multiplicity of primary nanorods and branch nanorods, each of said primary nanorods being attached to said substrate, each of said branch nanorods being attached to at least one other of said primary nanorods and said branch nanorods, said primary nanorods and said branch nanorods being arranged in a three-dimensional, interconnected, interpenetrating, grid-like network defining interstices within said nanofence.

A method of fabricating a superconducting article comprising:

• a. providing a substrate having a biaxially textured surface;
• b. heating said substrate to a predetermined temperature;
• c. forming an intermediate article by co-depositing a material and a catalyst via a carrier gas onto said biaxially textured surface to grow a metal oxide nanofence on said substrate, said nanofence comprising a multiplicity of primary nanorods and branch nanorods, each of said primary nanorods being attached to said substrate, each of said branch nanorods being attached to at least one other of said primary nanorods and said branch nanorods, said primary nanorods and said branch nanorods being arranged in a three-dimensional, interconnected, interpenetrating, grid-like network defining interstices within said nanofence;
• d. epitaxially depositing on said nanofence a superconducting matrix layer, said superconducting matrix layer disposed within interstices of said nanofence so that said nanofence is at least partially embedded within said superconducting matrix layer.

A method of fabricating a superconducting article comprising:

• a. providing a substrate having a biaxially textured surface;
• b. heating said substrate to a predetermined temperature;
• c. forming a first intermediate article by co-depositing a material and a catalyst via a carrier gas onto said biaxially textured surface to grow a metal oxide nanofence on said substrate, said nanofence comprising a multiplicity of primary nanorods and branch nanorods, each of said primary nanorods being attached to said substrate, each of said branch nanorods being attached to at least one other of said primary nanorods and said branch nanorods, said primary nanorods and said branch nanorods being arranged in a three-dimensional, interconnected, interpenetrating, grid-like network defining interstices within said nanofence;
• d. forming a second intermediate article by depositing on said nanofence a superconductor precursor matrix layer, said superconductor precursor matrix layer disposed within interstices of said nanofence so that said nanofence is at least partially embedded within said superconductor precursor matrix layer;
• e. heating said second intermediate article in a furnace to a predetermined temperature and predetermined time to convert said superconductor precursor layer to a biaxially textured superconductor layer.