Preparation and Properties of Ba₂YCu₃O_7-y Single Crystals Grown Using an Indium Oxide Flux

Abstract

Single crystals of Ba2YCu3O7-y were prepared using an In2O3 flux. Considerable variations in 7-y exist among crystals from different batches, although the same annealing conditions were applied. Tetragonal phases were found to be quenchable at 630°C in air for certain single crystals, although tetragonal phases of highly aluminous sintered specimens were unquenchable below 700°C. These characteristics are explained by the variation of oxygen mobility among the single crystals which were controlled by aluminium impurities and certain defect structures.

Crystallization Mechanisms of High Critical Temperature Superconductors

“…Schneemeyer et al and others [73][74][75][76] grew single crystals. Other solvents have been tried, e.g., In 2 O 3 [77], B 2 O 3 [78], and KCl-NaCl [69]. Wolf et al [73] optimized the melt composition and the cooling rate to obtain thick crystals, using a melt composition of Y:Ba:Cu ¼ 1:7.5:16.5 and the cooling rate below 0.5 C/h.…”

Effect of In2O3 on the grain connectivity and superconducting behavior of Bi2Sr2−xInxCaCu2O8+d

“…Indium which is commonly used as a low-melting fusible alloy can be used as flux in some ceramics [26]. Previous investigation of In-doping of BSCCO system revealed two interesting features: (1) decrease in the diamagnetic signal due to reduced superconducting volume at high indium concentration in the case of Pb-doped BSCCO and (2) increased superconducting volume translating to high superconducting transition temperature of Bi-2212 [27,28].…”