Preparation and x-ray pole-figure characterization of DC-sputtered Bi-2201, Bi-2212 and Bi-2223 thin films

Thin films of the three members of the superconducting series , n = 1,2,3, were prepared by diode sputtering. X-ray characterization shows that all the films are single phase and c-axis oriented and in addition they are epitaxially grown. The latter is found by x-ray pole-figure measurements taken with a four-circle diffractometer. These are emphasized in this work. AC susceptibility measurements show that, while the 2201 films are not superconducting until 4 K, the transition temperatures of the 2212 films are 82 K - 90 K and of the 2223 films 84 K - 89 K.