Effects of Precursor Powder on the Directional Growth of YBa2Cu3Ox Superconductor

Abstract

Textured bulk superconductors samples were grown directionally using different precursors of power. and a mixture of powder. The microstructures and superconducting properties of the samples were compared. The mixture powder produced better microstructures i.e. dense and crack-free so that a higher critical current density was achieved at the same hot-zone temperature of 115 than the reacted powder does. When the reacted powder used as a precursor, as the hot-zone temperature increased upto 1215, the texture of the sample improved and the critical current density increased. The amount of melt in the sample is of secondary importance for the growth of superconducting grains. The microstructures and superconductivity of good quality superconductors grown directionally were more strongly influenced by the kind of precursor rather than the amount og melt in a sample