TEM Investigation of Stacking Faults in the Superconducting Compound YNi2B2C

To evaluate the influence of composition and high-temperature heat treatment on the occurrence of stacking faults and intergrowths in the layered superconducting compound YNi₂B₂C a series of polycrystalline samples and a single crystal were investigated by TEM. Stacking faults were found in the most inhomogeneous sample only, which was annealed at 1100°C. Homogenisation at temperatures of 1450°C and higher results in a recovery of stacking faults. The observed faults should develop during crystallisation by formation of extra planes of YC or Ni₂B, resulting in a local deviation from the stoichiometric composition. In highly faulted areas the distance of stacking faults was about 50nm. These faults have apparently no influence on the superconduction transition temperature T_c.