The recent discovery of new high temperature superconductor systems has created a need to develop compatible measurement techniques to characterize the electrical, structural, acoustic and optical properties of these materials. Although many standard methods of measuring conventional superconducting materials can be adapted to new high Tc superconductor systems, effective measurement of critical properties is difficult. Conventional acoustic techniques to measure the physical properties of superconducting materials normally require contact between the sensor and the superconducting material under test. This research uses noncontacting laser-based ultrasonics as a means of accurate, non-intrusive measurement of the electronic, vibrational and optical properties of new high Tc superconducting materials. Successful completion of this work would result in a research technique for improved material characterization in superconducting perovskite structures in environments at lower than room temperature. The significance of this program is the possible development of noncontact and versatile ultrasonic monitoring system for fabrication processes and of acoustic vibrational mode measurements for superconducting device performance.
