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Growth morphology of large YBCO grains fabricated by seeded peritectic solidification: (I) The seeding process
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 31 January 2011
Abstract
The growth of large grain YBa2Cu3O7−δ (YBCO) by peritectic solidification in the presence of a (Sm,Y)Ba2Cu3O7−δ seed is characterized by the initial seeding process, development of a facet plane around the seed, and finally by continuous nonlocal growth away from the seed. A detailed investigation of the seeding process using electron microscopy, electron probe microanalysis, and thermal analysis techniques is reported here as the first in a series of studies of these key growth features. Results show that the seed partially melts below its nominal melting temperature due to a distribution of yttrium cations across the seed/YBCO interface. The formation of a Sm/YBa2Cu3O7−δ solid solution, which occurs via a reaction between (Sm,Y)2Ba2CuO5 and liquid state Ba3Cu5O8, has been observed across this interface at temperatures below the peritectic temperature Tp of the seed. The temperature window available for melting the YBCO phase while avoiding full peritectic decomposition of the (Sm,Y)Ba2Cu3O7−δ seed is maximized for seeds of high Sm content and thickness in excess of 0.2 mm. Finally, the dwell time at temperatures above Tp should be as short as possible if the integrity of the seed is to be maintained throughout the YBCO growth process.
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- Copyright © Materials Research Society 1998
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