Effects of Y2O3 additions on the oxygen diffusion in top-seeded melt growth processed YBa2Cu3O7−y superconductors

To understand the effect of Y₂BaCuO₅ (Y211)/YBa₂Cu₃O_7?y (Y123) interfaces on the oxygen diffusion in single grain YBa₂Cu₃O_7?y superconductors, single grain Y123 superconductors with 0.05 and 0.3 moles of Y₂O₃ additions were fabricated by a top-seeded melt growth (TSMG) process. Y123 compacts with Y₂O₃ additions were subjected to melt growth heating cycles with a cooling rate of 1 °C/h through a peritectic temperature (1015 °C) and then annealed at 450 °C for 200 h in flowing oxygen. The superconducting temperature (T_c) and critical current density (J_c) were estimated for the three different regions (top surface (s), intermediate (i) and center (c)) of samples. The amount of Y211/Y123 interface area in single grain Y123 superconductors was successfully controlled by Y₂O₃ additions. The T_c values of s regions were higher than those of i and c regions, which indicates the presence of more oxygen at the sample surfaces. In addition, the T_c values of i and c regions of the Y123 sample with 0.3 mole Y₂O₃ addition were higher than those of the same regions of the Y123 sample with 0.05 mole Y₂O₃ addition due to the promoted oxygen diffusion through Y211/Y123 interfaces and other related defects. In spite of the promoted oxygen diffusion by Y₂O₃ addition, the large T_c difference among the regions still existed, which suggests sluggish oxygen diffusion into single Y123 grains.     

Interface and grain boundary structures in YBa2Cu3O7-x and YBa2Cu4O8 materials

Y₂BaCuO₅YBa₂Cu₃O_7-x (Y211/Y123) interfaces in melt-processed YBa₂Cu₃O_7-x were studied by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Yttrium enrichment and barium depletion were observed locally at the Y211/Y123 interfaces where Y123 (001) facets were present. This effect may be interpreted as the result of lattice substitution of Ba by Y near these interfaces. Cation nonstoichiometry was found near Y211/Y123 interfaces where liquid phases (Cu-Ba-O) were present. This chemical disorder introduces numerous point defects in the Y123, and these defects may act as additional pinning sites alongwith stacking faults. A comparison of grain boundary (GB) chemical composition in polycrystalline YBa₂Cu₃O_7-x and YBa₂Cu₄O₈(Y124), studied using nanoprobe parallel-detection electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS), is presented. The studies of Y124 show that stoichiometric grain boundaries can also form weak links between superconducting grains. It is suggested that weak-link behavior is determined largely by misorientation at grain boundaries.     

Alumina nano-inclusions as effective flux pinning centers in Y–Ba–Cu–O superconductor fabricated by seeded infiltration and growth

The YBa₂Cu₃O_7?x (Y123) textured bulk superconductors with various amounts of nanometer alumina particles were fabricated by a seeded infiltration and growth process. The addition of nanometer alumina was found to be effective for an improvement of the superconducting properties. The critical current density (J_c) values were increased twice in self field with a slight addition amount of nanometer alumina particles (maximum J_c at 0.01 wt.% alumina addition). The present work suggests that the use of insulating inclusions in the nanometer sub-scale can stabilize the flux-line lattice and greatly enhance the pinning capabilities of the infiltrated samples. No refinement of Y211 particles was observed with alumina addition. The J_c improvement by nanometer alumina inclusions is likely rendered to the insulating nano-pinning centers that have been successfully embedded into superconducting Y123 matrix. On the other hand, we examined the effect of the pinning centers size on the superconducting properties of infiltrated YBCO bulk samples. To this effect insulating nano-pinning centers with two different size distributions has been successfully incorporated within YBCO matrix of bulk superconductor by slightly doping with nano-particle alumina dispersions. Two alumina nano-particle dispersions with mean size diameters of about 20 nm and 130 nm were used. It was shown that the size of the pinning centers can affect considerably the J_c performances and the pinning mechanism.     

Effects of calcium doping on the superconducting properties of top-seeded melt growth processed Y1.5Ba2−xCaxCu3Oy superconductors

The effect of calcium doping on the superconducting properties of top seeded melt growth (TSMG) processed Y_1.5Ba_2?xCa_xCu₃O_y superconductors was studied in terms of calcium content (X_ca). YBa_2?xCa_xCu₃O_7?δ (X_ca = 0, 0.005, 0.01, 0.02, 0.04, 0.1, 0.3) powders were synthesized by the powder calcination method. YBa_2?xCa_xCu₃O_7?δ powders were mixed with 0.25 mole Y₂O₃ powder and 1 wt.% CeO₂ as Y₂BaCuO₅ (Y211) refiner, and finally made into Y₁.₅Ba_2?xCa_xCu₃O_y (Y1.5) + 1 wt.% CeO₂ composition. The single Y123 growth on the top surface was observed up to X_ca = 0.1, while the multiple Y123 growth was observed at X_ca ? 0.1. The superconducting transition temperature (T_c) and critical current density (J_c) of TSMG processed Y1.5 samples were inversely proportional to X_ca. The Y211 size increased with increasing X_ca due to the enhancement of Y211 coarsening by calcium doping. No Y211 refining effect by CeO₂ was observed in the calcium doped samples. The T_c and J_c decrease by calcium doping are likely to be due to the calcium incorporation with the Y123 lattice and formation of coarse Y211 particles.     

Inducing self-assembly of Y2BaCuO5 nanoparticles via Ca-doping for improved pinning in YBa2Cu3O7−x

Different mechanisms may exists as a means to provide additional or specialized enhancement of existing nanoparticulate pinning in YBa₂Cu₃O_7?x (YBCO) thin films. In the particular case of Y₂BaCuO₅ (Y211) nanoparticles, Ca-doping of these nanoparticles via addition to the Y211 target material provides an additional increase to the J_c(H). YBCO + Y211 samples were created by pulsed laser deposition with alternating targets of YBCO with Y211 and Y211 doped with Ca. Initial indications suggest that this improvement in pinning results from some scattered short-ranged self-assembly of the nanoparticles into short nanocolumns.     

Synthesis, characterization and melt processing of Y1−x(Yb0.9Nd0.1)xBa2Cu3Oz superconductors

Effects of a combined substitute of Yb and Nd on Y site on the superconducting properties of YBa₂Cu₃O_y have been studied. We synthesized Y_1−x(Yb_0.9Nd_0.1)_xBa₂Cu₃O_z compound with x = 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0. Here, the ratio of Yb–Nd was fixed to be 9:1 for obtaining 123 phase without secondary phases. The melt processing thermal profiles for Y_1−x(Yb_0.9Nd_0.1)_xBa₂Cu₃O_z with x = 0.2 and 0.4 and the addition of 40 mol% {Y_1−x(Yb_0.9Nd_0.1)_x}₂BaCuO₅ and 0.5 wt% Pt in air were determined on the basis of the thermal analysis results. All samples showed a low grain growth rate, particularly for high x values, which may be partially ascribed to un-optimized thermal schedules. Although almost all the samples exhibited low J_c values, the sample with x = 0.2 exhibited T_c of 88.8 K and a relatively high J_c value of 16,000 A/cm² at 77 K for H//c-axis.     

Growth and properties of air-processed GdBa2Cu3O7−δ superconductors with fined Gd2BaCuO5 and Gd2Ba4CuFeOy additions

We have succeeded in synthesizing a powder form of Gd₂Ba₄CuFeO_y (Gd2411) in air. GdBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ (Gd123)/Gd₂BaCuO₅ (Gd211) precursor powders added with different amounts of Gd₂Ba₄CuFeO_y (x = 0, 0.002, 0.004, 0.02) in molar ratio to Gd123 have been fabricated successfully into the form of large, single grains by the top seeded melt growth (TSMG) process. The relation between the additions amounts of Gd2411/Gd211 and critical current density (J_C) was analyzed. We found Gd2411 particles stably exist in the Gd123 matrix without degradation of superconducting properties owing to the existence of the Fe magnetic ion. The trapped field was observed to increase significantly compared with the bulk without Gd2411 additions.     

Enhanced Jc in air-processed GdBa2Cu3O7−δ superconductor bulk grown by the additions of two Nd2BaCuO5 seeds

By using top seeding melt-textured growth process, single domain GdBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ bulk superconductor has been fabricated successfully in growth with the additions of two Nd₂BaCuO₅ (Nd123) seeds. Both microstructure and superconducting properties were investigated from the seed position to the boundary of the sample. The experiments showed the enhanced superconducting properties such as the critical current density (J_c) and the irreversibility (B_irr) in the edge of the domain and the part between two seeds. The additions of two Nd123 seeds accumulate the richer Gd₂BaCuO₅ inclusion particles and improve the J_c at the edge of single domain, which is confirmed by scanning electron microscopy.     

Mechanical characterization of melt-textured Y0.95Er0.05Ba2Cu3O7−δ superconductor prepared in air

The effect of Er substitution on the mechanical properties of ab- and a(b)c-planes of melt-textured YBa₂Cu₃O_7?δ is reported in the present work. The non-oxygenated samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and mechanical properties by instrumented indentation and conventional Vickers indentation whereas the superconducting properties were determined by resistivity measurements on oxygenated samples. The X-ray pattern and EDS analysis revealed the presence of Y-123, Y-211 and BaCeO₃ phases. Er substitution up to 5 wt.% did not affect the superconducting properties. No difference in hardness was observed for the ab- and a(b)c-planes. Elastic modulus of the a(b)c-plane was 10% higher than of the ab-plane. Differences in indentation fracture toughness obtained by conventional Vickers indentation of the ab- and a(b)c-planes was observed. The addition of 5 wt.% of Er did not affect significantly the mechanical properties of melt-textured samples when compared with pure melt-textured YBa₂Cu₃O_7?δ.     

Influence of Y2Cu2O5 nanoparticles doping on superconducting properties of YBa2Cu3O7-δ

ABSTRACT

The blue phase of YBa₂Cu₃O_{7- δ} (YBCO) family, Y₂Cu₂O₅ (Y202) nanoparticles were prepared and doped into (YBCO) superconductor and the effect of doping on critical current density and critical temperature was investigated. Y202 nanoparticles with particle sizes of 47, 107 and 206?nm were prepared by a sol–gel combustion method and added into the YBCO superconductor by 0.5–2?wt.%. XRD and scanning electron microscope measurements were used to characterize the samples. The measurement of critical current density at 77?K revealed that the doped superconductors had larger critical current density compared to the undoped superconductors. For a fixed dopant concentration, by increasing the size of nanoparticles, the J_c was increased. For the samples including 0.5?wt.% of nanoadditives, J_c was higher. The highest critical current density of 137?A/cm² was measured for the superconductors containing 0.5?wt.% of 206?nm Y202 nanoparticles. Also, by increasing the nanoparticles concentration, the T_c was reduced.     

Irradiation effects on the YBa2Cu3O7-δ superconducting compound

The effects of neutron irradiation on the magnetic and superconducting properties of the YBa₂Cu₃O_7- (Y123) superconducting compound have been investigated. No significant change of the superconducting transition temperature (T _c) was found. The effect of irradiation on the magnetization critical current density (J _c) was studied. Bean's critical state model was used to estimate J _c. Around 40% increase in J _c was found. The temperature dependence of J _c was also studied.     

Suppression of samarium diffusion in top seeded melt growth processed Y123 superconductors using a Sm123 seed

To suppress the samarium diffusion from a SmBa₂Cu₃O_7?y (Sm123) seed into an YBa₂Cu₃O_7?y (Y123) compact during a top seeded melt growth (TSMG) process, Y211 buffer disks of various thicknesses (t) were inserted at the seed/compact interface. The effectiveness of the Y211 buffer insert on the suppression of samarium diffusion was estimated from the susceptibility curve and composition analysis for the three top surface regions (region just below the seed/buffer, intermediate region between the buffer and compact edge and compact edge). The difference in the superconducting temperature (T_c) and the superconducting transition width (ΔT) in the three regions was large, when no buffer or thin buffers (t is smaller than 1 mm) were used. As a buffer disk of an appropriate thickness was inserted into the seed/compact interface, the difference in T_c and ΔT in the three regions was much reduced. The composition analysis across the seed/buffer/compact region clearly revealed that the T_c decrease was caused by the samarium diffusion from a seed, which led to the formation of Y_1?xSm_xBa₂Cu₃O_7?y in the Y123 compact region. The buffer insert technique was demonstrated to insure the uniform superconducting properties of the top surface of TSMG processed Y123 superconductors.     

Effects of RE2O3 (RE = Tm, Sc, Yb) addition on the superconducting properties of ErBa2Cu3Oy

We investigated the effects of added Tm₂O₃, Sc₂O₃, and Yb₂O₃ on the superconducting properties of sintered Er123 samples. Tm₂O₃ addition caused the least T_c degradation, exhibiting a T_c above 90 K even for 17 vol% addition. Samples with added Sc₂O₃ maintained a T_c at above 90 K up to an addition of 7.2 vol%, while Yb₂O₃-containing samples showed a monotonic decrease in T_c with increased vol% of added Yb₂O₃. Tm₂O₃-containing samples exhibited a slight increase in J_c(0.1 T)/J_c(0) and had constant J_c values even for 17 vol% addition. XRD and SEM results indicate that the Tm₂O₃ is very stable in the superconducting matrix.     

Novel configuration of processing bulk textured YB2Cu3O7−x superconductor by seeded infiltration growth method

Mono-domain YBa₂Cu₃O_7?x (Y123) bulk superconductors have been processed using seeded infiltration growth technique (SIG). The combination of melt infiltrated liquid source (Ba₃Cu₅O₈) into the Y₂BaCuO₅ (Y211) pre-form and the nucleation of Y123 domain from SmBa₂Cu₃O₇ crystal seed has been investigated. The different configurations of SIG process were compared in this study. In addition, the effect of the starting Y211 particles size has been studied. The results reveal that, the Y211 particle size and different configurations strongly influence the properties of the final bulk superconductor sample.     

Preparation of high J c YBa2Cu3O7−δ superconducting thin films by ion beam sputtering deposition

Preparation of high T _c and high J _c YBa₂Cu₃O_7– superconducting thin films by ion beam sputtering deposition is reported. The main factors affecting the composition of the films and the orientation of the crystal grains have been examined. Experimental results show that the Y, Ba and Cu composition of as-deposited films can be conveniently and accurately adjusted by a combined sputtering target which consists of a large sintered target of YBa₂Cu₃O_7– and a small one that is Ba and Cu rich (YBa_2.5Cu_3.3O_x). Fabrication conditions of highly oriented superconducting thin films are described. YBa₂Cu₃O_7– superconducting films with zero resistance at 88–90.5K and critical current density J _c (at 77K) of 1.5×10⁵ A/cm² are obtained.     

Optimization of the properties of codoped single-domain Y–Ba–Cu–O bulk superconductors

The intrinsic effects of nanoscopic MnO₂ powders addition combined with Fe cation substitutions for copper sites on the microstructure and superconductive properties of YBa₂Cu₃O_7?δ (Y123) melt-solidified bulks have been investigated. On the one hand, an increase in Y₂BaCuO₅ (Y211) particle pushing, leading to an inhomogeneous bulk microstructure, is caused by increasing MnO₂ content due to increased net interfacial energy, Δσ₀; and, on the other hand, an addition of MnO₂ powders is effective in enhancing both the δT_c-type and δl-type pinning. It also shows that the Fe addition helps to optimize the high magnetic field performance and Y211 particle distribution in textured pellets. Further, this experiment suggests that a combination of the element substitution and the nanoscopic particle is a beneficial way to optimize the microstructure and superconductive properties of single-domain bulk superconductors.     

Observation of record flux pinning in melt-textured NEG-123 superconductor doped by Nb, Mo, and Ti nanoparticles

Flux pinning in melt-processed (Nd_0.33Eu_0.33Gd_0.33)Ba₂Cu₃O_y “NEG-123” + 35 mol% Gd₂BaCuO₅ “NEG-211” (70 nm in size) composite doped by TiO₃, MoO₃ and Nb₂O₅ achieved record values. The optimum values of all three dopands were found to be around 0.1 mol%. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) analysis found clouds of <10 nm sized particles in the NEG-123 matrix, shifting the pinning particle size distribution to significantly lower values. TEM by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis clarified that these nanoparticles contained a significant amount of Nb, Mo, and Ti. Appearance of nanometer-sized defects correlated with a significantly improved flux pining at low and medium magnetic fields, which was particularly significant at high temperatures. In the Nb-doped sample, a record J_c value of 925 kA/cm² at the secondary peak field (4.5 T) was achieved at 65 K, 640 kA/cm² at zero field at 77 K, and 100 kA/cm² at 90.2 K, the last value having been up to now considered as a good standard for REBa₂Cu₃O_y “RE-123” materials at 77 K. The greatly improved J_c–B performance in Nb/Mo/Ti doped samples can be easily translated to large-scale LRE-123 (LRE = light rare earths, Nd, Eu, Gd, Sm) blocks intended for real superconducting super-magnets applications.     

Increase of critical current density with doping carbon nano-tubes in YBa2Cu3O7−δ

The effects of carbon nano-tubes (CNTs) on the crystal structure and superconducting properties of YBa₂Cu₃O_7?δ (Y-123) compound were studied. Samples were synthesized using standard solid-state reaction technique by adding CNT up to 1 wt% and X-ray diffraction data confirm the single phase orthorhombic structure for all the samples. Current–voltage measurements in magnetic fields up to 9 T were used to study the pinning energy U_J and critical current density J_c as a function of magnetic field at fixed temperature. We find that while T_c does not change much with the CNT doping (91–92 K), both U_J and J_c increase systematically up to 0.7 wt% CNT doping in a broad magnetic field ranges between 0.1 and 9 T and J_c in the 0.7 wt% CNT doped sample is at least 10 times larger than that of the pure Y-123. The scanning electron microscope image shows that CNTs are forming an electrical-network between grains. These observations suggest that the CNT addition to the Y-123-compounds improve the electrical connection between superconducting grains to result in the J_c increase.     

Microstructure and thermal properties of quasi-equal rare earth substitution Y0.5Gd0.5Ba2Cu3O6.94 superconductor

Sintering effects in YBa₂Cu₃O_z samples with quasi-equal rare earth substitution have been investigated. It has been shown that the Y-123 type compound can be formed when gadolinium is partially substituted (in this case 50% atomic substitution) for yttrium. The superconducting compound was obtained by the optimized ceramic method, including solid-state reaction, melting and sintering, controlled by X-ray diffraction. The microstructure was investigated by SEM and energy dispersive X-ray analyses. An AC susceptibility measurement has shown that T _c =93 K. Temperature-dependece of the thermal conductivity (4.5–300 K) of the polycrystalline Y_0.5Gd_0.5Ba₂Cu₃O_6.94 sample was also measured.      

在工频外磁场下高温超导体的交流损耗

在工频外磁场条件下,研究了不同工艺的Bi-2223/Ag带和Cu位元素替代的YBa₂Cu_3-xSn_xO_y超导体的交流损耗.实验结果表明：在单芯Bi-2223/Ag带中,热处理时间、温度及超导芯厚度的增加都将增加Bi-2223相的含量,因而导致磁滞损耗增加.将单芯带细分成19芯Bi-2223/Ag带能减少磁滞损耗,但另一方面,超导芯间的耦合增加了银基体的涡流损耗,因此19芯带的损耗只比单芯带减少20%左右.在YBa关键词：