GROWTH OF SUPERCONDUCTING BI2SR2CACU2O8 SINGLE-CRYSTALS USING K2CO3 FLUX

High-temperature superconducting Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O (2212) single crystals have been grown from a stoichiometric melt, with K2CO3 as an additive and as a flux with different flux-charge compositions, by the spontane ous crystallization technique. Laue and oscillation x-ray diffraction studies have been brought to bear on the assessment of the single crys tallinity and quality of the crystals. The crystals have been studied by x-ray powder diffraction and have been shown to be orthorhombic in structure. EPMA reveals that the composition of the grown crystal is v ery close to 2212. The change in morphology and superconducting proper ties have been studied for the crystals grown from a stoichiometric me lt and excess K2CO3 flux.