Laser zone melting of ceramic superconductors

This paper reports on Bi2Sr2CaCu2Ox(2212) and YBa2Cu3Ox(123) ceramic precursors with thickness of several microns that were prepared by repeating spin coating and pyrolysis. The precursor solutions were produced by mixing carboxylic acid salts in toluene. The samples were remelted and directionally solidified by a laser surface zone melting method. Samples traversed at different speeds ranging from 0.1 to 100 mm/s under continuous-wave laser beams which were focused through a set of lens on their surfaces. After the zone melting, were focused through a set of lens on their surfaces. After the zone melting, the treated surfaces were characterized by an x-ray diffraction technique Y123 phases were observed at the laser scanning speed around 0.5 mm/s. And the estimated cooling rate was over 100 K/s at this condition. This work was supported by New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization under the management of the R and D of Basic Technology for Future Industries