Reduction in magnetic field induced broadening of the resistive transition in laser-deposited YBa2Cu3O7−x thin films on MgO

Abstract
The magnetic field induced broadening of the normal to superconducting resistive transition of YBa2Cu3O7x thin films laser deposited on (100) MgO substrates for field oriented parallel to the c axis is found to be significantly reduced in comparison with that found previously in single crystals and in films deposited on SrTiO3. This reduction in broadening is associated with a high density of defects which, while causing a slight decrease in Tc and an increase in the zero‐field transition width, seems to provide strong vortex pinning centers that reduce flux creep.