The crystal growth of Y-Ba-Cu-O by laser floating zone melting

• Published in: Superconductor science & technology Vol. 1; no. 2; pp. 102 - 106
• Main Authors: Jiang, X P, Huang, J G, Yu, Y, Jiang, M, Qiao, G W, Ge, Y L, Hu, Z Q, Shi, C X, Zhao, Y H, Wang, Y J, Xu, G Z, Zhou, Y E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: IOP Publishing 01.08.1988
• ISSN: 0953-2048; 1361-6668
• DOI: 10.1088/0953-2048/1/2/012

The crystal growth of Y--Ba--Cu--O is explored by means of laser-heated pedestal growth (LHPG), which is a new crucible-free floating zone technology for growing oxide crystals from the melt. The result shows that the superconducting phase of YBa sub 2 Cu sub 3 O sub 7--x melts incongruently, and is separated into two phases of (Y sub 2 BaCuO sub 5 and BaCuO sub 2 ) because of a peritectic reaction at 1010 deg C during solidification. However, an oriented crystal in which the two phases coexist can be obtained by controlling the growth rate, and then may be transformed into superconductor with T sub c above 90K; such a crystal presents certain textural features following suitable heat treatment. The crystal structure and orientation after solidification and heat treatment are studied with the help of X-rays on electron microprobe and on optical microscope. 8 ref.--AA