Encapsulated single crystal growth and annealing of the high-temperature superconductor Tl-2201

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • D. C. Peets - , University of British Columbia (First author)
  • Ruixing Liang - , Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (Author)
  • Mati Raudsepp - , University of British Columbia (Author)
  • W. N. Hardy - , Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (Author)
  • D. A. Bonn - , Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (Author)

Abstract

Highly perfect platelet single crystals of Tl2Ba2 CuO6+delta (Tl-2201) were grown by a self-flux technique. A novel encapsulation scheme allowed the precursors to react prior to the sealing required to contain volatile thallium oxides, and permitted the removal of melt at the conclusion of growth, reproducibly producing high yields of clean crystals. The crystals were annealed under well-controlled oxygen partial pressures, then characterised. They have sharp superconducting transitions, narrow X-ray rocking curves and a low 4% substitution of thallium by copper, all evidence of their high perfection and homogeneity. The crystals are orthorhombic at most dopings, and a previously unreported commensurate superlattice distortion is observed.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)344-350
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of crystal growth
Volume312
Issue number2
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2010
Peer-reviewedYes
Externally publishedYes

External IDs

Scopus 71649094527

Keywords

Keywords

  • Crystal structure, X-ray diffraction, Growth from melt, Single crystal growth, Cuprates, Oxide superconducting materials, NEUTRON-DIFFRACTION, TL2BA2CUO6+DELTA, TC, STOICHIOMETRY, THALLIUM, OXIDES, NMR