Growth of Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O (T sub(c) identical with 85 K) single crystals by the travelling-solvent method

Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O (85 K phase) single crystals of 3 x 5 x 1.8 mm super(3) were successfully grown from Bi-rich solvent by a modified travelling-solvent technique using an MgO crucible coated with CuO. Two kinds of rods were prepared as the starting materials by quenching liquids of the raw materials at 1000 degree C. The composition of the solvent rod was BiO sub(1.5):SrO:CaO:CuO identical with 33:24:18:25 in at.%. The other rod had a stoichiometric composition of Bi sub(2)Sr sub(2)CaCu sub(2)O sub(8). The rod for the solvent was set above the stoichiometric rod, which was settled on the bottom of the crucible. The crucible was heated at 1100 degree C in an optical furnace. After the molten zone had travelled through the system, the solidified ingot was characterized.