Preparation and characterization of Y1−xPrxBa2Cu3O7−δ single crystals

✍ Scribed by L.M. Paulius; B.W. Lee; M.B. Maple; P.K. Tsai

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1994
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 645 KB
• Volume: 230
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0921-4534
• DOI: 10.1016/0921-4534(94)90837-0

✦ Synopsis

We present a reliable method for growing single crystals of YI _xPrxBa2Cu307_6 high-To superconductors in ZrO2 crucibles. This method results in crystals with greatly improved superconducting properties compared to crystals grown with the previously reported methods which use A1203 crucibles. We describe techniques for crystal growth in both A1203 and ZrO2 crucibles using an excess of BaCO3 and CuO as the flux. The crystals were characterized by means of DC magnetic-susceptibility measurements, electrical-resistivity measurements, and electron microprobe analysis. The effects of AI contamination on the conditions for crystal growth and on the superconducting properties of the crystals are found to be quite significant.