SINGLE-DOMAIN GENERATION IN YBCO TEXTURED SAMPLES

This paper discusses the partial melting technique applied to texture cylindrical YBa2Cu3O6+x samples with Y2BaCuO5, additions and the exper imental procedures developed for obtaining large single domains. The t hermal texturing methods produce liquid migration which hinders the st able and continuous solidification process. In the present work differ ent methodologies for avoiding capillary liquid absorption are discuss ed. The mechanism of single domain selection is studied and an interpr etation proposed explaining the oblique angle that the (001) plane of the single domain forms with the sample axis. This mechanism is also c ompatible with the shape of the recrystallization front shown by the s amples studied. In order to impose axial orientation of the (001) crys tallographic planes, solidification experiments with textured YBCO see ds are carried out. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.