Growth of Near-Free-Standing YBa2Cu3O7-Type Crystals Using a Self- Decanting Flux Method
Abstract
Large (Multi-millimeter-sized) near-free-standing platelets of YBa2Cu3OX have been obtained using a self-decanting flux method. The charge composition consists of 10.2 wt% YBa2Cu3O7 in a 0.28:0.72 molar BaO:CuO flux- mixture induced to decant by a thermal gradient. After oxygen annealing, crystals display sharp Tc values near 92 K. Crystals of ten of the RBa2Cu3Ox congeners, R = Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, And Yb, were also grown using the method described. Preliminary experiments were successful in adapting the procedure to the Nd (1.85)Ce(0.15)CuO4 system and yielded small, superconducting (Tc > 20 K) platelets after Ar-annealing. For the YBa2Cu3Ox system, an oxygen annealing study was conducted in order to determine the best conditions for the reliable production of crystals with optimized superconducting properties.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA243221
Entities
People
- C. K. Lowe-ma
- D. E. Bliss
- M. S. Osofsky
- M. W. Decker
- T. A. Vanderah
Organizations
- Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake