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Enhancing the homogeneity of YBa 2 (Cu 1− x Fe x ) 3 O 7−δ single crystals by using an Fe‐added Y 2 O 3 crucible via top‐seeded solution growth
Author(s) -
Qian Jun,
Wan Yan,
Huang Simin,
Yao Xin,
Zhou Ligang,
Diko Pavel
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of applied crystallography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.429
H-Index - 162
ISSN - 1600-5767
DOI - 10.1107/s1600576719005697
Subject(s) - crucible (geodemography) , homogeneity (statistics) , dopant , doping , materials science , superconductivity , ion , analytical chemistry (journal) , crystallography , solid solution , metal , single crystal , mineralogy , chemistry , condensed matter physics , metallurgy , physics , optoelectronics , statistics , computational chemistry , mathematics , organic chemistry , chromatography
Sizable metal‐ion‐doped YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7−δ single crystals with high uniformity have been in great demand for fundamental studies on superconductivity. This article reports a novel approach, based on top‐seeded solution growth and characterized by using an Fe‐added Y 2 O 3 crucible, to effectively enhance the homogeneity of YBa 2 (Cu 1− x Fe x ) 3 O 7−δ single crystals. Because Fe ions are absorbable on or dissolvable from the Fe‐Y 2 O 3 crucible, it functions as a reservoir, yielding a stable Fe concentration in the liquid. Consequently, a series of acceptably sized YBa 2 (Cu 1− x Fe x ) 3 O 7−δ single crystals with better uniformity than those grown by previous methods were obtained. The new dopant‐added crucible, capable of balancing the solution spontaneously, is broadly applicable for preparing other doped single crystals.