• Progress in Superconductivity
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.42-46
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• 2009

With an aim of comparison, single grain Y-Ba-Cu-O (YBCO) bulk superconductors were fabricated using a liquid infiltration growth (LIG) process and a conventional melt growth (MTG) process with top seeding. The MTG process uses an $YBa_2Cu_3O_{7-x}$(Y123) powder as a precursor, while the LIG process uses $Y_2BaCuO_5(Y211)/Ba_3Cu_5O_8(Y035)$ pre-forms. The growth of a single Y123 domain on the top seed was successful in the both processes. Different feature between the two processes is the interior microstructure regarding the critical current density ($J_c$). The LIG-processed YBCO sample showed a lower porosity, more uniform distribution of Y211 particles and the enhanced Y211 refinement compared to the conventional MTG process. The $J_c$ improvement in the LIG process is attributed to the dispersion of finer Y211 particles as well as lower porosity within the Y123 superconducting matrix.