Fabrication of organic dye-coated high-Tc superconductor optical devices: Interface chemistry and properties

The preparation and characterization of a new generation of optical sensors fabricated from high-temperature superconductor (HTSC) thin films is reported herein. These new hybrid devices are prepared using HTSC thin films which are coated with organic dye overlayers. These systems have been shown to respond selectively to those wavelengths which are absorbed strongly by the molecular dye. Methods for fabricating the superconductor element and depositing the dye layer are discussed. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy and resistivity versus temperature measurements are utilized to characterize these hybrid structures.