SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF BULK TEXTURED PHASES IN THE BI(PB)-SR-CA-CU-O SYSTEM

Growth of lead-doped textured Bi-cuprate, using an immersed heater flo ating zone (TSFZ) apparatus, from a narrow supercooled melt created an essentially dense structure consisting of locally aligned long platel et crystal grains. The extended grains have their long axes parallel t o the growth axis with a low angle misorientation. The effect of gas b ubbles and the pulling rates on the microstructure and superconducting transition temperature of the textured boules have been studied. The decomposing nature of the 2223 phase on melting leads to form the ener getically favourable low T-c 2212 phase.