Analysis on the Ceasing Mechanism of the YBCO Crystal Growth during Melting Growth Process by Unidirectional Solidification

Abstract

The unidirectional solidification technology by a zone melting method was performed to obtain the large single domain YBCO. The interface morphology and chemical composition at the growth front of the YBCO crystal were investigated in order to make clear the growth characteristic of the YBCO crystal during melting growth by unidirectional solidification. It was found that YBCO crystal would cease growing when yttrium was depleted in the liquid phase at the YBCO crystal growth front. For maintaining the continuous growth of YBCO crystal, compositions of Y, Ba and Cu in raw samples have to be adjusted so as to make yttrium rich in the liquid phase at the YBCO crystal growth front during the melting growth process. It is very useful for the study on the mechanism of the YBCO crystal growth.