SUPERCONDUCTING PRBA2CU3OX

PrBa2Cu3Ox grown by the traveling-solvent floating-zone method shows a large inhomogeneity both in structural and physical properties, such as lattice parameters and transport and magnetic properties, Some part s of this sample exhibit bulk superconductivity. The c-axis lattice co nstant is longer than that of nonsuperconducting samples grown by the flux method. However, the magnetic susceptibility of the superconducti ng sample suggests the valence of Pr is +3. The superconducting transi tion temperature exceeds 100 K under a pressure over 8 GPa and still h as a potential to increase. [S0031-9007(97)05151-X].