Selective laser pyrolysis of metallo-organics as a method of forming patterned thin film superconductors

A method for forming patterned films of superconductive materials consisting essentially of the steps of:

• (a) forming a solution from the neodecanoates of yttrium, barium and copper, said neodecanoates forming an oxide mixture exhibiting superconductive properties upon subsequent thermal decompositions wherein said oxide mixture is characterized by a ratio of yttrium:barium:copper of approximately 1:2:4, said solution comprising an organic solvent such as xylene;
• (b) adding to said solution an appropriate dye, said dye comprising 4-[(4-Ethoxyphenyl)axo]-1- naphthol and capable of absorbing a selective wavelength of light;
• (c) depositing a film of said solution having said dye onto a strontium titanate substrate;
• (d) exposing selective regions of said film with an Argon laser emitting said wavelength of light, such that said exposed regions of said film become insoluble in said xylene;
• (e) immersing said film into said xylene so that the soluble, unexposed regions of said film are removed from said substrate;
• (f) heating said film at a first temperature of about 500.degree. C. and duration that is sufficient to thermally decompose said neodecanoates of yttrium, barium and copper into a film containing yttrium, barium and copper oxides in the ratio of approximately 1:2:4 respectively, but insufficient to significantly recrystallize said oxides;
• and
• (g) heating said oxide film at a second temperature ranging between approximately 850.degree. C. and 1000.degree. C. for a duration of up to about two minutes, sufficient to promote recrystallization and grain growth of said metal oxides within said film and induce a change therein by which said film exhibits superconducting properties.