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Microstructural evolution in multiseeded YBCO bulk samples grown by the TSMG process

Published version
Peer-reviewed

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Authors

Goodfellow, A 
Shi, YH 
Durrell, JH 
Dennis, AR 
Cardwell, DA 

Abstract

Superconducting single-grain YBCO bulk samples with the ability to trap high magnetic fields can be grown using the top-seeded melt-growth process. Multiseeding techniques have the potential to enable larger diameter bulks to be grown, but the performance of these materials is not yet comparable to the single-seeded bulks. Here we carry out detailed three-dimensional microstructural characterisation on a multiseeded sample grown with the seeds aligned in the 0°-0° geometry using high resolution microanalysis techniques. Chemical and structural variations have been correlated with the trapped field distribution in three separate slices of the sample. The top slice of the sample shows four peaks in trapped field, indicating that the current flows in four separate loops rather than in one large loop within the sample. This has been explained by the build-up in insulating Y-211 particles where the growth fronts from the two seeds meet, forming a barrier to current flow, as well as the low Y-211 content (and hence low Jc) of the large c-axis growth sector.

Description

Keywords

YBCO, bulk, microstructure

Journal Title

Superconductor Science and Technology

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0953-2048
1361-6668

Volume Title

29

Publisher

Institute of Physics Publishing
Sponsorship
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/P00962X/1)
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/K02910X/1)
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (Grant ID: EP/K02910X/1)
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