GROWTH OF NEAR-FREE-STANDING YBA2CU3O7-TYPE CRYSTALS USING A SELF-DECANTING FLUX METHOD

TitleGROWTH OF NEAR-FREE-STANDING YBA2CU3O7-TYPE CRYSTALS USING A SELF-DECANTING FLUX METHOD
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication1992
AuthorsVanderah, T. A., Lowema C. K., Bliss D. E., Decker M. W., Osofsky M. S., Skelton E. F., and Miller M. M.
JournalJournal of Crystal Growth
Volume118
Pagination385-395
Abstract

Near-free-standing platelets of YBa2Cu3Ox with 1-4 mm edges have been reproducibly obtained using a self-decanting BaO:CuO flux method. The overall stoichiometry of the growth mixture was Y:Ba:Cu = 1.0:18.4:45.1. The flux was induced to decant by a thermal gradient. After oxygen-annealing, crystals displayed sharp T(c)-values near 92 K. Crystals of ten of the RBa2Cu3Ox congeners (R = Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb) and the "n-type" superconductor Nd1.85Ce0.15CuO4 were also grown using the method described. The results of an oxygen-annealing study of YBa2Cu3Ox crystals wherein transition temperature, transition width, apparent oxygen content, and annealing history were correlated, are also reported.