GROWTH AND CHARACTERIZATION OF UNDOPED AND DOPED BI2SR2CA1CU2OX SINGLE-CRYSTALS

Growth of Bi2Sr2Ca1Cu2O(x) (2212) crystals by two different ways, using alkali halide as a flux and from self flux compositions, has been reported. X-ray diffraction, electrical transport and quasiparticle tunnelling measurements of undoped, iodine intercalated and lead doped crystals have been performed. The integrowth of Bi2Sr2Cu1O(y) (2201) phase in some of the grown crystals is observed. The presence of this impurity phase is reflected in the R verus T plot of the crystal. The stability of 2212 phase in molten alkali halide has been investigated in order to determine conditions for the growth of phase pure crystals. The results of quasiparticle tunnelling and resistivity measurements show that the presence of iodine in the 2212 lattice influences its superconducting properties.