Preparation and characterization of Y1−xPrxBa2Cu3O7−δ single crystals

Abstract We present a reliable method for growing single crystals of Y 1− x Pr x Ba 2 Cu 3 O 7−δ high- T c superconductors in ZrO 2 crucibles. This method results in crystals with greatly improved superconducting properties compared to crystals grown with the previously reported methods which use Al 2 O 3 crucibles. We describe techniques for crystal growth in both Al 2 O 3 and ZrO 2 crucibles using an excess of BaCo 3 and CuO as the flux. The crystals were characterized by means of DC magnetic-susceptibility measurements, electrical-resistivity measurements, and electron microprobe analysis. The effects of Al contamination on the conditions for crystal growth and on the superconducting properties of the crystals are found to be quite significant.