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Published August 2, 1988 | public
Journal Article

Growth and characterization of large YBa_2Cu_3O_(7−x) single crystals

Abstract

Centimeter sized crystal plates of YBa_2Cu_3O_(7−x) have been obtained using a bulk composition and method described by Schneemeyer et al. modified for growth in a pure oxygen atmosphere. A porous MgO crucible and long soak time promote large crystals. Mg was not detectable in the crystals. Electron microbeam analysis using a 60 Å monochromator crystal for the oxygen determination gave the composition: Y_(1.05)Ba_(2.02)Cu_(2.94)O_(6.52) ± 0.06. As-grown crystals from the melt surface exhibit a fairly sharp T_c with zero resistance at 80 K, and show complex twinning and crack patterns. Optical micrographs of a lightly polished surface normal to the c-axis of a ∼ 3 mm crystal delineate twinning and fine scale microcracking; this crystal surface now has a zero resistance at 68 K. Microhardness measurements and micro-fracture observations indicate intrinsic properties that may inhibit or impede large scale manufacture of electronic ceramics.

Additional Information

© 1988 Elsevier Science Publishers B.V. Received 18 April 1988. Accepted 12 May 1988. Available online 7 August 2002. This work was supported by the JPL/Caltech Innovative Space Technology Center, which is sponsored by the SDI Innovative Science and Technology Office through an agreement with NASA and by the Rockwell Independent Research and Development fund. The microprobe work was done under the supervision of J.T. Armstrong, who also suggested and conducted the L X-ray line profile studies.

Additional details

Created:
August 19, 2023
Modified:
October 17, 2023