Crystallization features of YBa2Cu3O7‐δ in the Y2BaCuO5‐BaCuO2‐CuO and Y2Cu2O5‐BaCuO2 systems

Based on the data of X‐ray phase and microstructure analysis, the sample composition was optimized in order to provide maximum size of the textured macrograins of YBa₂Cu₃O_7‐δ and of the crystallites in the Y₂BaCuO₅‐BaCuO₂‐CuO, Y₂Cu₂O₅‐BaCuO₂ systems. The growth rate has been studied and the YBa₂Cu₃O_7‐δ growth activation energy has been calculated for the samples of Y₂BaCuO₅+3BaCuO₂+2.3CuO, Y₂BaCuO₅+3BaCuO₂+0.6CuO, and Y₂Cu₂O₅+3.5BaCuO₂ compounds in the temperature range of 1240‐1270K for the case of use of the Y₂Cu₂O₅ and Y₂BaCuO₅ precursors with an average grain diameter of 10 μm and 1mm. A crystallization mechanism of YBa₂Cu₃O_7‐δ in the Y₂BaCuO₅‐BaCuO₂‐CuO and Y₂Cu₂O₅‐BaCuO₂ systems in the case of different sizes of Y₂BaCuO₅ and Y₂Cu₂O₅ precursor grains was proposed and validated. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Crystallization and Characterization of Orthorhombic β‐MgSO4 · 7H2O

In solution, the growth rate and the crystal habit are influenced by a number of factors such as supersaturation, temperature, pH of the solution, cooling rate, agitation, viscosity, initial state of the seed crystal and the presence of impurities. The crystallization of orthorhombic β‐MgSO₄ · 7H₂O, from low temperature aqueous solution by slow cooling process was studied. The metastable zone width, the induction periods (τ) for different supersaturations and the effect of pH on the growth rate of the crystals were investigated. The increase of pH yielded bigger crystals. The structural, optical, thermal and mechanical properties of β‐MgSO₄ · 7H₂O have been studied using FT‐IR, X‐ray diffraction, TGA‐DTG and micro hardness analyses.     

Orthorhombic Site Symmetry of Cr3+ in ZnNH4PO4 6H2O Crystals

Spectroscopic investigations of Cr³⁺ doped ZAPH are carried out. From the nature of optical absorption bands and their splittings at the liquid nitrogen temperature, the site symmetry of the Cr³⁺ in ZAPH is attributed to orthorhombic distortion.     

Magnetic field dependence of the relative critical current density in γ‐irradiated polycrystalline YBa2Cu3O7

The effect of different doses of γ‐rays on the behavior of the critical current density, J_c in an YBa₂Cu₃O₇ polycrystalline sample has been investigated at high temperatures. The samples were irradiated at room temperature by a ⁶⁰Co γ‐ray source at a dose rate of 0.5 MR/h. J_c was found to increase significantly with after irradiation dose of 10 MR. Further irradiation dose of 50 MR produced a slight and field dependent enhancement of J_c above its values at 10 MR. The most interesting result is that the relative change in the critical current density was found to have a non‐monotonic behavior with the applied magnetic field. These results are discussed in terms of the roles of several mechanisms created by γ‐rays in the regions of the grain boundaries combined with the effect of the magnetic field on these mechanisms. (© 2007 WILEY ‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy of YBa2Cu3O7–x

Electronic excitations of Y–Ba–Cu–O polycrystalline material in superconducting form have been investigated by electron energy loss spectroscopy in reflection. The data obtained confirm recent band structure models for this material. Low electron energy losses correspond to energy levels close to the Fermi energy with an upper and lower Hubbard subband and an anionic O 2p band in the middle. Loss peaks due to interband transitions, plasmon excitations, and core electron excitations have been observed, the origin of which is interpreted by a schematic energy level diagram.     

Magneto‐transport properties of polycrystalline YBa2(Cu1‐xMx)3O7‐δ (M = B and Mn)

The magnetic and transport properties of polycrystalline YBa₂ (Cu_1‐xM_x)₃ O_7‐δ (M = B and Mn) superconductor was investigated. Samples of YBa₂(Cu_1‐xB_x)₃O_7‐δ doped with several concentrations of boron B(x = 0.05 and 0.1) were investigated using magnetization measurements. A YBa₂(Cu_1‐xMn_x)₃O_7‐δ sample doped with Mn with concentration of x = 0.02 was investigated using current‐voltage (I‐V) measurements. Our results on the YBa₂(Cu_1‐xB_x)₃O_7‐δ samples reveal a considerable increase in the hysterisis width of the magnetization, M versus the applied magnetic field H with increasing boron concentration. The lower critical field was also found to be enhanced by boron doping. The critical current density, J_c was found to be significantly enhanced in the Mn‐doped sample. The enhancement of J_c was found to be more significant at the lower temperatures for all applied magnetic fields used (0 Oe, 300 Oe, and 500 Oe). Thus, chemical doping is suggested to enhance the vortex pinning forces in the YBCO samples. From the resistivity (R‐T) measurements, chemical doping of the samples was found to have no significant effect on the critical temperature, T_c. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

The thermodynamic equilibrium of the formation process of High-Tc superconducting phase YBa2Cu3O7−x

Analysing the equilibrium state of the formation reaction of the high-T_c superconducting phase 1:2:3 (YBa₂Cu₃O_7−x) on the base of the pressure-temperature-oxygen content (P-T−x) correlation research and using the Van't-Hoff equation, the Gibbs free energy (ΔG_m) of the reaction has been calculated for the first time. It is seen that the absolute value of ΔG_m is not large and of the order of 2.5 kcal · mole⁻¹. This leads to an instability of the 1:2:3 phase. Also, from the calculated values of ΔG_m relative stability regions of the 1:2:3 phase are determined for different values of x. Combinatively analysing the relation lg P = A−B/T (where A – the x-dependent constant, and value of B was determined to be equal to 10518 atm. K) and the value of ΔG_m, we come to the conclusion that the synthesis of YBa₂Cu₃O_{7 − x} when x → 0 must be carried out under high oxygen pressure and low temperature for a lasting time, because the reaction rate is limited by slow diffusion in the solid phase.     

Crystal Structure of (Cr,Cu)(Sr,La)2(La,A)Cu2O8‐δ (1212‐type) and (Cr,Cu)Sr2(Y,Ce)2Cu2O10‐δ (1222‐type) Phases

Conditions of the synthesis, crystal structures, mechanical properties, electrical resistivities and magnetizations of cuprates with the general formula (Cr,Cu)(Sr,La)₂(La,A)Cu₂O_8‐δ where A=Ca or Sr of 1212‐type and (Cr,Cu)Sr₂(Y,Ce)₂Cu₂O_10‐δ of 1222‐type were investigated. The compositions of the cuprates and an amount of the impurity phases in the samples were determined. Rietveld refinement of the structure was carried out. It was found that the formal charges of Cu (FC_Cu) calculated from the electroneutrality of refined phase compositions do not achieve value optimal for the appearence of superconducting phases.     

Influence of simultaneous doping of Tl and Bi on microstructure and critical current density of HgBa2Ca2Cu3O8+δ

It has been found that simultaneous doping of Tl and Bi at Hg site of HgBa₂Ca₂Cu₃O_8+δ HTSC phase induces interesting microstructural variants in the form of long period polytypoid (LPP) like structure embodying native defect substructures. It has been observed that the as synthesized (HgTl_0.2−xBi_x)Ba₂Ca₂Cu₃O_8+δ (with x = 0.05, 0.10, 0.15) phases have superconducting onset transition temperature (T_c) of about ∼133 K. However, the intragrain critical current density (J_c) for the various materials with different compositions varies significantly. It varies from 6.2 × 10⁶ A/cm² to 2.9 × 10⁶ A/cm² at 5 K and 1 T for (HgTl_0.10Bi₁₀)Ba₂Ca₂Cu₃O_8+δ and (HgTl_0.15Bi_0.05)Ba₂Ca₂Cu₃O_8+δ HTSC phase respectively. A correlation between the intragrain J_c and the defect substructures has been found to be present. This correlation has been described and disscussed. (© 2003 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Mechanical Damping of YBa2Cu3O7 –x at Temperatures above 300 K

Damping of ultrasonic waves with frequencies in the 100 kHz region was measured in the temperature region 300 … 1000 K. Two peaks could be observed (near 400 K or near 700 K, respectively). Occurrence of these peaks depends on oxygen content of the sample. The higher temperature peak is attributed to phase transition Pmmm 〈– – –〉 P 4/mmm of YBa₂Cu₃O_{7 – x}.     

Phase equilibria in BaB2O4–LiF system and β–BaB2O4 bulk crystals growth

Solid state synthesis, differencial thermal analysis and visual polythermal analysis were applied to study the phase equilibria in BaB₂O₄–LiF system. A phase diagram BaB₂O₄–LiF has been plotted for the first time. The system has proved applicable for growing β–BaB₂O₄ bulk crystals.     

Interactions between YBa2Cu3O7-x and K2Co3

The interactions between YBa₂Cu₃O_7-x and K₂CO₃ have been studied using thermochemical methods, isothermal annealing of diffusion pairs, optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and microprobe analyses. The experiments have shown existence of solubility of YBa₂Cu₃O_7-x or its constituents in both solid and liquid K₂CO₃. The barium ions are preferably dissolved in K₂CO₃, whereas potassium cations do not enter massively into the bulk of the YBa₂Cu₃O_7-x-phase. A eutectic-type phase diagram is supposed for the system K₂CO₃–YBa₂Cu₃O_7-x. The so called “green phase” Y₂BaCuO₅ and a K–Cu–O compound have been found in the contact zone at 813 °C while a “black phase” layer with nominal composition Y_1.6Cu_2.8O_5.4 has grown at 707 °C.     

Thermodynamic analysis and technology of preparation of high-Tc superconducting system YBa2Cu3O7−x

By modeling the equilibrium state of the phase formation reaction of High-T_c superconducting phase 1:2:3 (YBa₂Cu₃O_7−x) and using the results of P-T−x correlation investigation of some authors, the variation of Gibbs free energy (ΔGm) versus temperature has been calculated. On the basis of the variation of ΔGm, the technology procedure of preparation of phase 1:2:3 with desired x has been established to meet requirement of basic investigation and application of High-T_c superconductors YBa₂Cu₃O_7−x.     

Progress in growth of large β‐BaB2O4 single crystals

Growth of large β‐barium borate (BBO) crystals of high optical quality has been challenging, even 25 years past its discovery. The best results in terms of size and quality have been demonstrated by means of TSSG (Top Seeded Solution Growth). Nevertheless, the maximum available size of nonlinear optical elements lags behind laser industry requirements. Due to increased size and availability, BBO finally started attracting attention for its favorable Q‐switch properties. Yet, two or sometimes three crystals aligned together are still necessary to achieve the lengths often required for these applications. Material quality, in terms of optical perfection and optical absorption, is still questionable in many instances. Limited boule size still dictates relatively high material cost as well. Thorough analysis of the growth behavior of BBO helped us to develop production processes for large boules utilizing TSSG with pulling. High quality nonlinear optical crystal devices and Q‐switches up to 40 mm in the z‐direction have been enabled. We believe that the above size and quality are currently industry leading. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Interplay between phase formation mechanisms and magnetism in the Sr2FeMoO6–δ metal‐oxide compound

Double perovskites with the structural formula A₂BB′O_6±δ, especially the strontium ferromolybdate Sr₂FeMoO_6–δ, have attracted a lot of attention due to their unique magnetic and electrical properties and a possible application in spintronic devices. However, a strict correlation between the functional characteristics of Sr₂FeMoO_6–δ and its synthesis technology has been lacking up to date. Thus, we have studied in the present work the crystallization kinetics of Sr₂FeMoO_6–δ using reagents with different pre‐history as well as the structural and magnetic properties of the obtained compounds. Differences in the crystallization kinetics as well as higher magnetic inhomogeneity of Sr₂FeMoO_6–δ synthesised from a mixture of MoO₃, Fe₂O₃, SrCO₃ in comparison with the compound synthesised from the SrFeO_2.5 and SrMoO_4–y precursors have been found and interpreted. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)