Investigation of YBCO single crystals grown under 1 atm oxygen pressure and air atmosphere

The effects of oxygen partial pressure on Y123 single-crystal growth, morphology and properties were investigated. YBCO (Y123) single crystals were fabricated using the crystal pulling method under 1 atm oxygen pressure. Compared with crystals fabricated under air atmosphere, it was found that this high oxygen partial pressure played a significant role in increasing growth rate, which was 1.5–2.5 times higher than that of crystals fabricated under air atmosphere. A large crystal with size of 19.8×19.5 mm 2 in the a–b plane and 16.5 mm in the c -axis direction was successfully obtained using a crucible 50 mm in diameter. In the YBCO system, critical temperature T c was not sensitive to the growth atmosphere.