Growth and bulk texturing studies of BixY0.1Sr1.9CaCu2O8 crystals by floating zone technique

A strip heater floating zone apparatus was used for the growth of bulk textured crystals of Bi-2212 superconductors of size 3 cm length×1 cm diameter. Samples with a composition of Bi2.2Sr1.9CaCu2O8 and BixY0.1Sr1.9CaCu2O8 (x=1.9, 2.1 and 2.3) were used for the crystal growth. Optimal growth conditions were adopted to get crack free crystals. The grown crystals were annealed at 650°C for 24 h and the superconducting property was studied. The X-ray diffraction studies confirmed the Bi-2212 phase formation and texturing were quantified. The compositional analysis of the as grown and annealed crystals were done by Inductively coupled plasma (ICP) analysis. AC susceptibility data of the crystals reveal the change of superconducting volume fraction with different initial Bi ratio. Chemical etching studies were carried out for the grown crystals using chemical etchants.