Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 February 2011
Better knowledge of the relationships between YBa2Cu307-δ (YBCO) materials properties and the RF performance of devices made from these materials should lead to improved device performance and yields. A variety of materials tests were performed on our production YBCO films which were patterned into standard microstrip resonators. The materials parameters were then compared with the unloaded Q of the resonators at 77 K. As expected, films with higher Q's tended to have higher Tc, higher Jc, greater film thickness, and better crystallinity. The last was based on narrower YBCO rocking curve peak, lower second phase density (judged by lower resistivity and greater θ-2θ (005) peak area), and a narrower θ-2θ (005) peak. The room temperature sheet resistance was found to be a useful predictor of microwave performance for films that are otherwise similar.