Growth of Bi 2Sr 2Ca 1− xPr xCu 2O y single crystals by traveling solvent floating zone method

Abstract

A systematic study of Bi 2Sr 2Ca 1 −x Pr x Cu 2O y , where x=0–1.0, was undertaken to determine growth parameters, crystal properties as well as the phase compositions. Single crystals were grown using the traveling solvent floating zone method. The dimension of single crystals with actual doping ratios x from 0.2 to 0.7 were typically 5 mm×3 mm×0.2 mm. Large single crystals of Bi 2Sr 2PrCu 2O y ( x=1.0), typically 10 mm×3 mm×0.2 mm, were successfully grown. These crystals contained no impurities and showed a clean X-ray diffraction pattern of the pure Bi-2212 phase. A planar interface was observed, indicating that a stable growth condition was established before zone quenching. As the Pr-doping level increased, the liquidus composition shifted pronouncedly to the corner of CuO in the pseudo-ternary BiO 1.5-(Sr,Ca,Pr)O-CuO phase diagram. Therefore, the solidus composition, Bi 1.965Sr 2.046Pr 1.096Cu 1.894O y , and liquidus composition, Bi 2.17Sr 1.92Pr 0.31Cu 2.60O y , were obtained by energy dispersive X-ray analyzer measuring.