Fabrication of large single-domain Gd–Ba–Cu–O bulks using Y-based liquid source

Abstract

A new Y-based liquid source, composed of Y 2O 3, BaCuO 2, and CuO, was prepared and used to fabricate large Gd –Ba –Cu –O (GdBCO) single domains of 30 mm in diameter by the infiltration and growth (IG) process. After detailed investigations in the morphology, microstructure, and superconducting property of the grown sample, it was found that, the proposed Y-based liquid source can be used to fabricate well-textured large GdBCO single domains, and can also increase the utilization rate of the liquid source powder. Additionally, employing our method can simplify the IG process and advance the experimental efficiency because only two precursor powders, involving Gd 2BaCuO 5 and BaCuO 2, are needed to prepare for the whole process flow.