Electrochemical oxidation of La₂CuO₄ thin films grown by molecular beam epitaxy

Abstract

Thin insulating and c-axis oriented films of La2CuO4 are grown using a molecular beam epitaxy technique. Subsequently, these films are oxidized electrochemically using a 1N KOH solution. This approach is used to induce superconductivity, leading to a maximum Tc0 of 31 K,, measured both resistively and inductively. The surface morphology, lattice constants and the resistivity before and after the electrochemical treatment are compared. © 1993 Springer-Verlag.