Method for forming single phase, single crystalline 2122 BCSCO superconductor thin films by liquid phase epitaxy

A method for growing a substantially single phase, single crystalline highly epitaxial film of the 80K BiCaSrCu-oxide superconductor phase on a single crystal lattice-matched substrate with no intergrowth comprising the steps of:

• (a) forming a dilute supercooled molten solution of a single phase superconducting mixture of oxides of Bi, Ca, Sr, and Cu having an atomic ratio of about 2:1:2:2 in a nonreactive flux;
• (b) introducing said substrate into said molten solution at a temperature of about 850.degree. C.;
• (c) slowly cooling said molten solution from about 850.degree. C. to about 830.degree. C. to cause the growth on said substrate of said single phase, single crystalline, highly epitaxial film of the 80K BiCaSrCu-oxide superconductor phase;
• and
• (d) rapidly cooling the film-coated substrate to a room temperature at a rate sufficient to maintain the single phase, single crystalline structure of the superconducting film.