Fabrication and growth rate estimation of PrBa2Cu3O7−δ single crystal by the modified top seeded crystal pulling method

Recently, we succeeded in fabricating single crystals of PrBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ by a modified top seeded crystal pulling method called the SRL-CP (Solute Rich Liquid-Crystal Pulling) method. Y₂O₃ and MgO polycrystalline crucibles and a MgO single crystal crucible were used to grow the single crystals. The crystal growth temperature was set in the range of 968°C to 972°C. The grown crystals were identified as PrBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ by X-ray diffraction. In the case of using Y₂O₃ crucibles the composition of the grown crystals was Y_xPr_1−xBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ (0.48 < x < 0.57) and in the case of using MgO crucibles a relatively small amount of Mg contamination to the grown crystals occurred at a typical concentration of approximately 1 at.% of the sum of cations. According to the crystal growth model of the SRL-CP method 1–5], a maximum growth rate of 1.7 × 10⁻⁵ cm/s was calculated with the aid of the phase diagram studies we reported earlier 6]. This value is reasonably in agreement with the experimental results.