THE EFFECT OF SN SUBSTITUTION IN THE (HG1-XSNX)BA(2)CA(2)CU(3)OY SUPERCONDUCTING SYSTEM

We studied the effect of Sn substitution in a new mercury-based superc onductor with nominal composition (Hg1-xSnx)Ba2Ca2Cu3Oy (0 less than o r equal to x less than or equal to 0.5). At this stage of investigatio n the material is multiphasic with dominating superconducting phases u p to x = 0.3. It was established that Sn stimulates the formation of t he Hg-1212 phase and enhances the diamagnetic volume fraction but also the weak-link behaviour. Together with the SEM-EDS analysis, the shif t of some of the XRD peaks, as well as the gradual decrease of T-c wit h the dopant content x, suggests that the substitution is effective an d some of the Sn is incorporated into the structure of the superconduc ting phases.