초록
Sample preparation plays a critical role in microstructure analysis using TEM. Although TEM specimen has been usually prepared by jet-polishing or Ar-ion beam milling technique. these methods could not be applied to YBCO CC which is composed of IBAD or RABiTS substrates, several buffet layers, and YBCO superconducting layer because of big difference in mechanical strengths between the metallic phase and oxide phases. To obtain useful cross-sectional information such as interface between the phases or second phases in YBCO CC, it is prerequisite to secure the large area of thin section in the cross-sectional direction. The superconducting layer or the buffer layers are relatively weak and fragile compared to the metallic substrate such as Ni-5wt%W RABiTS of Hastelloy-based IBAD, and preferential removal of weak ceramic phases during polishing steps makes specimen preparation almost impossible. Tripod polisher and small jig were home-made and employed to sample preparation. The polishing angle was maintained <$1^{\circ}$ throughout the polishing steps using 2 micrometers attached to the tripod plate. TEM specimens with large and thin area could be secured and used for RABiTS/IBAD substrate analyses. In some cases, additional Ar-beam ion milling with low beam current and impinging angle was used for less than 30 sec. to remove debris or polishing media attacked to the specimens.
