The tensile strength of perfect LuBa2Cu3O7-x single crystals of submicrometre cross-sectional dimensions

An investigation has been carried out of strength properties of single crystals of LuBa2Cu3O7-x having submicrometre (74-245 nm) cross-sectional dimensions and oriented in the (100) direction. It has been established that the tensile strength of these crystals is independent of the cross-sectional dimensions, being equal to 4.3+or-0.7 GPa at 78 K. The maximum measured value of tensile strength has been found to be equal to 4.8 GPa.