Crystal orientation and growth anisotropy of YBa2Cu3O6+x fabricated by directional solidification method

Abstract

The unidirectional solidification by a zone-melting method was performed to investigate the growth anisotropy of YBa2Cu3O6+x (123) superconductive oxides. Large faceted interfaces were obtained at growth rates lower than 2 mm/h. The three-dimensional interface morphology and the onset of growth were observed. The crystal faces toward the growth direction were revealed to be close to the {112} face, which was selected as the result of the preferential growth. The growth rate of the {100} faces was evaluated to be about 1.5 times faster than that of the {001} faces from the steady growth condition.