GROWTH AND CHARACTERIZATION OF HIGH-QUALITY BI2SR2CACU2OZ CRYSTAL

We report the growth of high-quality Bi2Sr2CaCu2Oz single crystals wit h dimensions 2 x 1 x 0.03 mm(3) with a self-flux technique. The compos ition of these crystals is homogeneous and very close to the stoichiom etric composition. Structure characterization of the single crystals w as performed by measuring the (001) X-ray diffraction. The lattice par ameters of a typical crystal are a = 0.5414(2) nm, b = 0.5413(2) nm an d c = 3.0823(10) nm. The superconducting temperature T-c = 95 K with a sharp transition width (10-90% level) between 2 and 3 K was determine d from resistivity and DC susceptibility.