Controlled processing and properties of large Pt-doped Y–Ba–Cu–O pseudocrystals for electromagnetic applications

The quality and preparation of Sm–Ba–Cu–O (SmBCO) seeds, the level of Pt-doping, and the temperature distribution in the thermal processing system have been investigated in detail and identified as key processing factors in the fabrication of large melt processed Pt dope Y–Ba–Cu–O pseudocrystals. Optimization of these process variables and features has been performed to enable controlled processing of these materials up to several centimeters in diameter. Inhomogeneities and second phases present in the YBCO-Pt pseudocrystal microstructure have been analyzed and correlated with a variation of superconducting properties within the bulk of the sample. These observations have clear implications for the controlled processing of large YBCO-Pt pseudocrystals for electromagnetic applications.