GROWTH OF HIGH-QUALITY 2212-BSCCO CRYSTALS IN PT CRUCIBLES AND CHARACTERIZATION

We report the growth of pure, high-quality Bi2Sr2CaCu2Ox (BSCCO 2212) crystals, grown by a novel flux method in Pt crucibles. The growth pro cess involves repeated remelting and recrystallisation of the same mel t. The crystals appear to be chemically pure, contain no Pt contaminat ion and demonstrate a very high as-grown T(c) (onset), above 92 K, and the majority in the range 93-95 K with transition widths (10-90% leve l) between 4 and 8 K. The lattice parameters of a typical crystal are a=5.414(2) angstrom, b= 5.413 (2) angstrom, c= 30.893(12) angstrom. We discuss the growth process and the qualities of these crystals.