RNi2B2C (R = Ho, Dy, Tb and Pr) single crystals grown by the cold copper crucible method

Single crystals of RNi2B2C (R = Ho, Dy, To. Pr) have been grown on cold cop per crucibles in a high-frequency induction furnace. As a result, shiny met allic and brittle platelike single crystals were obtained. They were examin ed by x-ray and scanning electron microscopy with WDX/EDX for local composi tion analysis and show a very good crystallographic structure and compositi ons. Resistivity and de magnetic measurements were performed to study super conducting and magnetic properties. Besides known electronic properties of the RNi2B2C family, we report for the first time results for PrNi2B2C singl e crystals successfully obtained by this technique.