SINGLE-CRYSTAL PREPARATION OF BI2SR2CACU2OX SUPERCONDUCTOR BY THE TRAVELING SOLVENT FLOATING-ZONE METHOD

Single crystals of the Bi-2212 phase were grown by the travelling solvent floating zone method. Steady growth can be readily achieved when Bi2.9Sr2.6Ca1.3Cu2Ox was used as solvent. Optimized starting composition and growth conditions for the growth of pure 2212 phase were determined. The as-grown 2212 phase crystal exhibits a zero resistance state at 82K with a narrow transition width (Delta T-c=3K). Some of the crystals grown from a stoichiometry 2212 composition contained a high volume fraction of 2223 phase (with T-c,T-onset at 113K).