Growth anisotropy in seeded melt growth of YBa2Cu3Ox

Growth anisotropy has been investigated in the seeded melt growth of YBa2Cu3Ox for a wide range of undercooling and growth rates. By carrying out a series of quenching experiments, various growth rates have been obtained utilizing different cooling conditions. It has been found that the growth anisotropy is more dependent on the bulk growth rate rather than on the undercooling, suggesting that the former is a more fundamental parameter that determines the growth anisotropy. In addition the growth anisotropy is much more pronounced at high growth rates. A physical model has been proposed to explain the observed anisotropic growth behavior.