Crystal growth in Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O system

We report growth of Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+delta single crystals with dimensions of 6 x 2 x 0.03 mm(3) using a melt and growth technique. The oxygen content is determined to be delta approximate to 0.13 by iodometric titration. The crystal is shown to be homogeneous and close to stoichiometric cation ratio. The superconducting temperature with a sharp transition width (10-90% level:) of 6-8 K vias determined to be T-c,= 92 K from resistivity and de susceptibility measurements. The predominant impurity phase is a Cu-free crystal, whose composition is identified as Bi10Sr11Ca5Ox,. The crystal structure of Bi10Sr11Ca5Ox, is monoclinic with a = 11.108(1) Angstrom, b = 5.9487(1) Angstrom; c = 19.838 (3) Angstrom and beta = 101.5 degrees (P2(1/c), space group). (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.