Multiphase analysis of Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O high Tc superconductors with x-ray compositional mapping

Ba-Sr-Ca-Cu-O (BSCCO) high Tc superconductor specimens were prepared as part of a solid-solubility study in the region of the 2223 phase. The identification and determination of the amount of each phase in the final products were necessary. Quantitative digital x-ray compositional mapping with the electron microprobe was done with five wavelength spectrometers, one for each of the cations. To facilitate phase identification and quantification, image processing rules were developed for the nine possible phases, with each assigned a unique color. Using this procedure, at least six different phases were identified. Examples are cited in color.