BaZrO 3: the solution for the crucible corrosion problem during the single crystal growth of high- Tc superconductors REBa 2Cu 3O 7−δ; RE = Y, Pr

Abstract

We report on the solution growth of single crystals of YBa 2Cu 3O 7−δ and PrBa 2Cu 3O 7−δ in a new type of home-made crucible, namely made of BaZrO 3, which has the advantage that it does not react with the occurring melts which are commonly used as a flux. These new crucibles have several advantages: not only the crystals obtained after the growth experiment contain no impurities from the crucible material, but also an important problem is solved, e.g. the corrosion of the crucible does no longer change the composition of the melt during the growth experiment, thus avoiding uncontrollable growth conditions. Hence, due to this novel inert crucible material the use of more sophisticated crystal growth techniques such as top seeded solution growth (TSSG) are now possible.