Growth of Bi2Sr2CaCu2Oy single crystals by a self-flux method using precursors

Abstract We describe the preparation of Bi 2 Sr 2 CaCu 2 O x (Bi-2212) single crystals by a self-flux method using a SrBiO y precursor and two different forms of Ca–Cu–O precursors. The precursors SrBiO y , Ca–Cu–O(1) and Ca–Cu–O(2) were produced by sintering at 800°C, 800–950°C and higher than 950°C, respectively. We found that using these precursors lowered the growth temperature necessary to produce large Bi-2212 single crystals by about 100°C as compared with starting without precursors, and that the Bi-2212 single crystals prepared at 940°C showed a critical transition temperature of 91 K. In addition, the advantages of using the precursor containing Ca 2 CuO z to that containing CaCu 2 O w for crystal growth are given.