• KIEE International Transactions on Electrophysics and Applications
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• v.5C no.6
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• pp.251-256
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• 2005

Directionally melt-textured high $T_c\;(Y_{0.5}Nd_{0.25}Sm_{0.25})Ba_{2}Cu_{3}O_y$ [(YNS)-123] superconductor was systematically investigated by the zone melt growth process in air. A sample prepared by this method showed well-textured microstructure, and $(Y_{0.5}Nd_{0.25}Sm_{0.25})_{2}BaCuO_5$[(YNS)211] inclusions were uniformly dispersed in large $(Y_{0.5}Nd_{0.25}Sm_{0.25})Ba_{2}Cu_{3}O_y$ [(YNS)123] matrix. High irreversibility field and magnetization hysteresis loop of the zone melt-textured (YNS)-123 sample exhibited the enhanced flux pinning, compared with $YBa_{2}Cu_{3}O_y$ (Y-123) sample without RE(rare earth). Critical current density of (YNS)-123 sample was $2.5{\times}10^4\;A/cm^2$ at 2 T and 77 K.

• Progress in Superconductivity and Cryogenics
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.36-41
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• 2017

The effects of $MgB_4$ addition on the superconducting properties and the microstructure of in situ processed $MgB_2$ bulk superconductors were studied. $MgB_4$ powder of 1-20 wt.% was mixed with (Mg + 2B) powder and then pressed into pellets. The pellets of (Mg + 2B + $xMgB_4$) were heat-treated at $650^{\circ}C$ for 1 h in flowing argon. The powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis for the heat-treated samples showed that the major formed phase in all samples was $MgB_2$ and the minor phases were $MgB_4$ and MgO. The full width at half maximum (FWHM) values showed that the grain size of $MgB_2$ decreased as the amount of $MgB_4$ addition increased. $MgB_4$ particles included in a $MgB_2$ matrix is considered to suppress the grain growth of $MgB_2$. The onset temperatures ($T_{c,onset}$) of $MgB_2$ with $MgB_4$ addition (0-10 wt.%) was between 37-38 K. The 20 wt.% $MgB_4$ addition slightly reduced the $T_{c,onset}$ of $MgB_2$ to 36.5 K. This result indicates that $MgB_4$ addition did not influence the superconducting transition temperature ($T_c$) of $MgB_2$ significantly. On the other hand, the small additions of 1-5 wt.% $MgB_4$ increased the critical current density ($J_c$) of $MgB_2$. The $J_c$ enhancement by $MgB_4$ addition is attributed not only to the grain size refinement but also to the possible flux pinning of $MgB_4$ particles dispersed in a $MgB_2$ matrix.

• Progress in Superconductivity and Cryogenics
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.21-25
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• 2014

In order to develop 2nd generation (2G) high-temperature superconducting (HTS) wires as commercial products, it is necessary to perform a high speed investigation of their superconducting performance. Room-temperature and non-contact optical scanning tools are necessary to verify the microstructure of the superconducting materials, the current flow below the critical temperature, and the critical current density. In this paper, we report our results of an inspection of the electrical transport properties of coated conductors. The samples that we used in our study were highly qualified rare-earth based coated conductors produced via co-evaporation, and $SmBa_2Cu_3O_{7-y}$ (SmBCO) was the superconducting materials used in our studies. A film grown on IBAD-MgO templates shows larger than 400 A/cm at 77 K and a self-field. The local transport properties of the films were investigated by room-temperature imaging by thermal heating. The room-temperature images show structural inhomogeneities on the surface of the films. Bolometric response imaging via low-temperature bolometric microscopy was used to construct the local current mapping at the surface. These results indicate that the non-uniform regions on the surface disturb the current flow, and laser scanning images at room-temperature and at a low-temperature suggest a correlation between the structural properties and transport properties. Thus this method can be effective to evaluate the quality of the coated conductors.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.43 no.2 s.285
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• pp.98-105
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• 2006

YBCO film was synthesized by using a new approach to the TFA-MOD method. In the fabrication process, $Y_2Ba_1Cu_1O_x\;and\;Ba_3Cu_5O_8$ powders were used as precursors (the so called '211 process'), instead of Y-, Ba-, and Cu-based acetates, and dissolved in trifluoroacetic acid followed by calcining and firing heat treatment. Consequently, we successfully fabricated YBCO film and evaluated the phase formation, texture evolution, and critical properties as a function of the calcining and firing temperature and humidity, in order to explore its possible application in coated conductor fabrication. The films were calcined at $430-460^{\circ}C$ and then fired at $750-800^{\circ}C\;in\;a\;0-20\%$ humidified $Ar-O_2$ atmosphere. We observed that $BaF_2$ phase was effectively reduced and that a sharp and strong biaxial texture formed under humidified atmosphere leading to increased critical properties. In addition, we found that the microstructure varied significantly with the firing temperature: the grain grew further, the film became denser, and the degree of texture and phase purity varied as the firing temperature increased. For the film fired at $775^{\circ}C$ after calcining at $460^{\circ}C$, the critical current was obtained to be 39 A/cm-width (corresponding critical current density is $2.0\;MA/cm^2$ which was probably attributed to such factors as the enhanced phase purity and out-of-plane texture, the moderate film density and grain size, and crack-free surface.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2008.06a
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• pp.297-297
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• 2008

Buffer layers play an important role in the development of high critical current density coated conductor. $LaMnO_3$, $SrTiO_3$ and $BaZrO_3$ buffer layers were compatible with MgO surfaces and also provide a good template for growing high current density REBCO(RE=Rare earth) films. Systematic studies on the influences of pulsed laser deposition parameters (deposition temperature, deposition pressure, processing gas, laser energy density, etc.) on microstructure and texture properties of $LaMnO_3$, $SrTiO_3$ and $BaZrO_3$ films as buffer layer deposited on ion-beam assisted deposition MgO (IBAD_MgO) template by pulse laser deposition method, were carried out. These results will be presented together with the discussion on the possible use of this material in HTS coated conductor as buffer.

• Progress in Superconductivity and Cryogenics
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.37-40
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• 2016

We have investigated the addition effect of NiO magnetic nanoparticles on crystal structure, microstructure as well as superconducting properties of $MgB_2$. NiO-added $MgB_2$ samples were prepared by the solid-state reaction method. The superconducting transition temperature ($T_c$) of 37.91 K was obtained for pure $MgB_2$, and $T_c$ was found to decrease systematically on increasing the addition level of NiO. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that no substitution of Ni for Mg in the lattice of $MgB_2$ was occurred. The microstructural analysis shows that the pure $MgB_2$ sample consists of plate shape $MgB_2$ grains, and the grains get refined to smaller size with the addition of NiO nanoparticles. At 5 K, high values of critical current density ($J_c$) were obtained for small amount NiO-added $MgB_2$ samples as compared to pure sample. The enhancement in $J_c$ could be attributed to the refinement of $MgB_2$ grains which leads to high density of grain boundaries in NiO-added $MgB_2$ samples.

• Progress in Superconductivity
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.108-112
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• 2006

We fabricated Bi-2212/$SrSO_4$ bulk superconductors by the casting process and evaluated the effects of the powder mixing method and annealing temperature on the texture, microstructure, and critical current. In the process, the Bi-2212 powders were mixed with $SrSO_4$ by hand-mixing(HM) and planetary ball milling(PBM) method and then the powder mixtures were melted at $1100^{\circ}C{\sim}1200^{\circ}C$, solidified, and annealed. We observed that the rod made by the PBM had a more homogeneous microstructure and smaller $SrSO_4$ and second phases than that of the rod made by the HM, resulting in increased $I_c$. The $I_c$ of the rod also depended on the annealing temperature and the highest $I_c$ was obtained to be 200 A when prepared by HM at $1200^{\circ}C$ and annealed at $810^{\circ}C$ which is probably due to the moderate density and 2212 texture and the smaller and less second phase compared to that at higher temperature. The possible causes of the variations of $I_c$ with the powder mixing method and annealing temperature were related to the microstructural evolution based on the SEM, EPMA, and DTA analyses.

• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.69-78
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• 2000

The microstructure and corrosion behavior of commercially dental casting gold alloys were investigated to clarify the effect of burn-out temperature and cooling rate. In the case of water quenching after casting, only the αphase, which is typical dendritic microstructure of golda alloy, was detected. However, the precipitates along the grain boundary were detected only at the slow cooling rate and they increased inversely proportional to the burn-out temperature. This might be due to the time difference which solute atom could diffuse. EPMA and SEM results also demonstrated that the precipitate should be lamellar structure consisted of Ag rich phase(${\alpha}_1$) and Cu rich phase (${\alpha}_2$). In terms of corrosion, the galvanic coupling was formed due to the difference of composition between precipitates and matrix at the slow cooling rate. In the case of water quenching, the critical current density($i_p$) which indicate the degree of corrosion was lowest at $650^{\circ}C$ and below the burnout temperature, $i_p$ increased with it because of the effect of grain boundary segregation. But above the temperature, $i_p$ increased with it. This may be due to the strain field effect by residual thermal stress.

• Progress in Superconductivity and Cryogenics
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.20-24
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• 2009

YBCO coated conductors (CC) on the $CeO_2$-buffered IBAD-MgO template were fabricated by metal-organic deposition (MOD) Process with Ba-trifluoroacetate and fluorine-free Y and Cu precursor materials. The precursor solution was coated on $CeO_2$-buffered IBAD MgO templates using the multiple dip-coating method, decomposed into inorganic precursors by pyrolysis up to $400^{\circ}C$ within 3 h, and finally fired at $740{\sim}800^{\circ}C$ in a reduced oxygen atmosphere. Microstructure, texture, and superconducting properties of YBCO films were found highly sensitive to both the firing temperature and time. The high critical current density ($J_C$) of $1.15\;MA/cm^2$ at 77.3K in the self-field could be obtained from $1\;{\mu}m$ thick YBCO CC, fired at $740^{\circ}C$ for 3.5 h, implying that high performance YBCO CC is producible on IBAD MgO template. Further enhancement of $J_C$ values is expected by improving the in-plane texture of $CeO_2$-buffer layer and avoiding the metal substrate contamination.

• Progress in Superconductivity
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.8-15
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• 2006

The size of the superconducting domains and the critical current density inside these domains have to be enhanced for most of cryomagnetic applications of melt-textured YBCO bulks. To enlarge the size of the domains we studied the multi-seeding technique based on a well-established procedure for preparing high quality YBCO monoliths using self-made SmBCO seeds. The distance between the seeds was optimised as a result of the investigation of the effects of various seed distances on the characteristics of the grain boundary Junctions. The influences of a-b plane intersections and c-axis misalignments were researched. Thereby, a small range of tolerance of the misorientations between the seed crystals was found. Field mapping was applied to control the materials quality and the superconductor's grain structure was investigated using polarisation microscopy. YBCO function elements with iou. seeds in a line and an arrangement of making type (100)/(100) and (110)/(110) boundary junctions, respectively, were processed. The trapped field profile in both sample types shows single domain behaviour. To demonstrate the potential of the multi-seeding method a ring-shaped sample was processed by placing sixteen seeds in a way to make both (100)/(100) and (110)/(110) grain junctions at the same time. The results up to now are very promising to prepare large single domain melt-textured YBCO semi-finished products in complex shapes.