Neodymium oxide doped melt textured YBa2Cu3O7-x single crystals

Processing, microstructure and property relationships in neodymium oxide doped high temperature superconducting YBa₂Cu₃O_7-x (Y123) were investigated. It has been observed that a small amount (∼ 0.25 - 1 mol%) of Nd₂O₃ results in the formation of nanosized secondary phases which may have a significant effect on the superconducting properties of melt textured Y123 single crystals. It was further observed that addition of Nd₂O₃ greater than 1 mol% leads to multiple nucleation during solidification of Y123 and results in polycrystalline samples. Melt textured single crystals of Y123 with < 1 mol% were successfully grown and characterized with respect to microstructural development and superconducting properties.