DOI: 10.18503/1995-2732-2026-24-2-165-172
Abstract
Problem Statement (Relevance). The rapid development of modern engineering and electronics necessitates the improvement of industrial production methods for superconducting systems exhibiting high superconducting performance parameters, such as critical current density and superconducting transition temperature (Тс ~90 К). In this work, the process of growing superconducting crystals has been successfully investigated and tested, enabling the production of YBCO single-domain samples of various sizes with specified characteristics (diameters ranging from 20 to 50 mm). The process involves domain growth from a peritectic melt using MgO-doped Sm1.8Ba2.4Cu3.4O7-x single crystals as seed crystals. Methods Applied. Single-domain superconductors have been grown using the top-seeded melt growth technique with a seed crystal having a higher melting point than the superconducting material. Pellet-shaped samples have been fabricated by unidirectional uniaxial pressing of a powder mixture of Y1.8 and 1% CeO 2. The batch of samples has been heated to 1055 K, which is above the peritectic decomposition temperature of Y1.8Ba2.4Cu3.4O7-x but below the decomposition temperature of the seed crystal. Subsequently, the furnace temperature has been lowered to the domain nucleation temperature, and then gradually decreased at a rate of 0.2-0.3 °C/h. Originality. A methodology for measuring the levitation force of superconducting samples is presented. Result. The dependence of the normalized mass of YBCO single-domain samples (30 mm in diameter) on oxygenation time has been obtained. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) has demonstrated that the superconductors produced by the proposed method are indeed single-domain, as confirmed by the characteristic stepped surface morphology. Practical Relevance. Research on the synthesis of superconducting single-domain ceramics will make it possible to improve such characteristics as trapped magnetic field and enable their application as ultra-high-strength magnets.
Keywords
YBCO single-domain samples, levitation force, optimal ceramic annealing regimes, YBCO peritectic melt.
For citation
Teploukhov A.A., Seropyan G.M., Sychev S.A., Fedosov D.V., Semenyuk N.A., Skakun D.V. Study of Single-Domain YBCO Superconducting Ceramic Samples with High Critical Properties. Vestnik Magnitogorskogo Gosudarstvennogo Tekhnicheskogo Universiteta im. G.I. Nosova [Vestnik of Nosov Magnitogorsk State Technical University]. 2026, vol. 24, no. 2, pp. 165-172. https://doi.org/10.18503/1995-2732-2026-24-2-165-172
1. Rabadanova A.E., Gakhimagomedov S.H., Palchaev D.K. et al. Properties of YBCO ceramics depending on oxygen doping. Vestnik Dagestanskogo gosudarstvennogo universiteta [Bulletin of Dagestan State University]. 2022;37(3):42-56. (In Russ.)
2. Namburi D. K., Shi, Y. and Cardwell D. The processing and properties of bulk (RE)BCO high tempera-ture superconductors: current status and future perspectives. Superconductor Science and Technology. 2021;(34):053002. doi:10.1088/1361-6668/abde88
3. Finkel V.A. Electrical conductivity of ceramic YBa2Cu3O7-x ceramic HTS with different oxygen content at low temperatures. FNT [FNT]. 2002;28(8/9):952-957. (In Russ.)
4. Sychev S. A., Seropyan G. M., Pozygun I. S. Determination of oxygen content in superconducting cuprate YBа2Cu3OX by the method of electrode potentials. Vestnik Omskogo universiteta [Herald of Omsk University]. 2022;27(1):37-41. (In Russ.)
5. Gadzhimagomedov S.Kh., Faradzheva M.P., Tabit A.F.A. et al. Obtaining nanostructured materials based on YBa2Cu3O7–δ . Vestnik Dagestanskogo gosudarstvennogo universiteta [Bulletin of Dagestan State University], 2014;(1):36-42. (In Russ.)
6. Palchaev D.K., Gadzhimagomedov S.H., Murlieva J.H. et al. The connection of the effects of conduction and superconductivity of YBCO with the features of the crystal structure. Vestnik Dagestanskogo gosudarstvennogo universiteta. Ser. 1. Estestvennye nauki [Bulletin of Dagestan State University. Ser. 1. Natural Sciences]. 2020;35(3):96-102. (In Russ.)
7. Gadzhimagomedov S.H., Palchaev D.K., Rabadanov M.H. et al. Ceramic materials based on YBa2Cu3O7-s obtained from nanopowders. Pisma v ShTF [Letters to the Journal of Technical Physics]. 2016;42(1):9-16. (In Russ.)
8. Rabadanova A. E., Gadzhimagomedov S. H., Palchaev D. K. et al. YBCO superconducting microcrystalline ceramics: Correlations of structure and properties. Prikladnaya fizika [Applied Physics]. 2025;(1):84-91. (In Russ.)
9. Tolendiuly S., Sovet E., Sadykov M. et al. The influence of mechanical activation parameters on the formation of a superconducting phase in YBCO composites. Gorenie i plazmokhimiya [Combustion and plasma chemistry]. 2024;(22(3)):241-250. (In Russ.)
10. Xiao L., Ren H. T., Jiao Y. L., Zheng M. H., Chen Y. X. Effects of cooling rate on single domain growth and the superconducting properties for YBCO bulk. Physica. C, Superconductivity. 2023;386:262-265. doi.org/10.1016/S0921-4534
11. Churin S. A., Yunin P. A. Oriented growth of monodomain YBaCuO crystals. Vestnik Nizhegorodskogo universiteta im. N.I. Lobachevskogo [Bulletin of Nizhny Novgorod University named after N.I. Lobachevsky], 2013;(1(1)):53-56. (In Russ.)