Texturation of NdBa2Cu3Oy bars under air in a vertical Bridgman furnace

Abstract : Nd123 bars were textured using the melt texturing growth process in a vertical furnace by the floating zone method. Different applied growth rates were tested, from 1 to 4 mm/h, combined with different secondary phases additions (Nd4Ba2Cu2O5 and Nd3.6Ba2.2Cu1.9Oy). Nd123 single-domains were obtained independently of the tested conditions and correlation between process conditions (composition, growth rate), microstructure and superconducting properties were investigated. An optimized Tc (96 K) with a sharp transition is obtained without Ar annealing at high temperature generally necessary to recover the optimal Tc. This attractive result is linked with the process used. Jc curves were measured and results were discussed in relation with process conditions.