Single crystal preparation of Bi 2Sr 2CaCu 2O x superconductor by the traveling solvent floating zone method

Abstract

Single crystals of the Bi-2212 phase were grown by the travelling solvent floating zone method. Steady growth can be readily achieved when Bi 2.9Sr 2.6Ca 1.3Cu 2O x was used as solvent. Optimized starting composition and growth conditions for the growth of pure 2212 phase were determined. The as-grown 2212 phase crystal exhibits a zero resistance state at 82K with a narrow transition width ( ΔT c =3 K). Some of the crystals grown from a stoichiometry 2212 composition contained a high volume fraction of 2223 phase (with T c, onset at 113K).