High-temperature in situ observation of Nd-Sm-Ba-Cu-O system by laser-scanning microscopy

We have studied the quasi-binary phase diagrams of RE-Ba-Ca-O systems, in w hich rare earth (RE) site is composed of Nd, Sm and its mixture, along the line connecting RE123 and Ba3Cu5Oy (035) in 1% O-2 and 21% O-2 in Ar. The n ucleation and melting of REBa2Cu3Oy and RE2BaCuO5/RE4Ba2Cu2O10 were observe d in situ and the liquidus lines were determined using a laser-scanning mic roscope. Phase identification was performed on the samples quenched from hi gh temperatures through X-ray powder diffraction measurements and electron probe microanalysis. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.