Fabrication of single-domain GdBCO bulk superconductors using new liquid sources by the top seeded infiltration and growth technique

Three new kinds of liquid source were prepared by mixing R2O3 (here R is Gd,Y or Yb respectively), BaCuO, and CuO powders. Single-domain Gd-Ba-Cu-O bulk superconductors have been fabricated using these liquid sources by the top seeded infiltration and growth technique. The growth characteristic and microstructure of the samples have also been investigated in detail. The results indicate that, employment of the new liquid sources not only can help us reduce the experimental period and improve the fabrication efficiency, but also can be used to fabricate well-textured single domains. Additionally, using the liquid source mixed by Y2O3 or Yb2O3 can raise the utilization rate of the liquid source powders, as well as contribute to the refinement of Gd-211 particles in the molten liquid.