Structural and microstructural characterization of a high T c superconducting BiSrCaCu oxide

Abstract

The crystal structure and microstructures of a high Tc BiSrCaCuO (BSCCO) compound were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction (XRD), and energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS). Convergent beam electron diffraction (CBED) analysis established that the crystal is of mm2 symmetry. Combined with electron diffraction, XRD, and EDS data, the high Tc superconducting BSCCO compound was found to be of the Pnn2 space group, orthorhombic in structure with a=0.540 nm, b=2.689 nm, and c=3.040 nm and with an approximate composition of Bi2Sr2CaCu2Oy. Diffraction contrast analysis indicated that the dislocations are predominantly of screw character with [010] or [001] Burgers vectors. However, edge type dislocations and dislocations with [100] Burgers vector were also observed. The magnitude of the Burgers vector along the [100] direction was determined to be 1/2 [100] by high-resolution lattice imaging. Stacking faults and small-angle grain boundaries were frequently observed. The presence of a high density of defects in the superconducting oxide may facilitate the processing of the material and serve as effective flux line barriers.