Texturing studies on Sm substituted Bi-2212 high Tc superconductor grown by floating zone technique

The present work investigates the texturing and superconducting properties of Sm substituted Bi 2Sr 2CaCu 2O 8+δ (Bi-2212) crystals grown by the floating zone technique. The texturing nature of Bi-2212 was quantified by X-ray diffraction and by scanning electron microscopic studies. The texturing nature varies with respect to the ‘Sm’ concentration. Superconductivity studies were carried out by the resistivity technique and the transition temperature increases from 78K to 85K (for x=0.2) and decreases for higher concentration. The c-lattice parameter decreases with Sm substitution.