Yttrium Barium Copper Oxide Single Crystals for Flux-Trapping Applications

这个小企业创新研究第一阶段项目涉及先进超导陶瓷材料的合成和加工领域的研究。所提出的工作的主要目标是优化化学计量，相组成，形态，和其他特性的高温超导陶瓷（HTSC）粉末用于生产高品质的单晶具有高临界电流密度所需的磁通捕获应用。一个重要的附加目标是有助于提高对某些晶体生长工艺参数的理解，这些参数被认为是控制生长速率和单晶性能的首要因素。这项工作将集中在YBa 2Cu 3 O 7（123）材料上，这些材料已知具有有用的超导特性，并且已经在美国和日本成功地制造成单晶。粉末将使用经过验证的燃烧喷雾热解（CSP）方法生产，该方法能够提供高纯度，超细，化学计量的粉末，具有一致的再现性。还将生产用于123单晶生长的Y2 BaCuO 5（211）粉末以及123/211复合组合物。将通过研究将金属引入前体粉末中的适当方法来探索在晶体生长过程中少量添加铂的公认作用。将建立生产优选前体粉末所需的CSP工艺的必要修改。选定的粉末将用于随后在普林斯顿大学进行的单晶生长实验（改进的直拉法）。单晶生长技术将从普林斯顿大学转移到SSC公司。继续开发并最终商业化。

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project involves research in the area of synthesis and processing of advanced superconducting ceramic materials. The principal objective of the proposed work is to optimize the stoichiometry, phase composition, morphology, and other characteristics of high-temperature superconducting ceramic (HTSC) powders used to produce high-quality single crystals having high critical current densities necessary for flux-trapping applications. An important additional objective is to contribute to the development of an improved understanding of certain crystal growth process parameters thought to be of prime importance in controlling growth rates and single crystal properties. The work will be concentrated on YBa2Cu3O7 (123) materials known to have useful superconducting properties and which have already been successfully fabricated as single crystals, both in the United States and in Japan. The powders will be produced using a proven combustion spray pyrolysis (CSP) method capable of providing high-purity, ultra-fine, stoichiometric powders with consistent reproducibility. Y2BaCuO5 (211) powders used in the growth of 123 single crystals, as well as 123/211 composite compositions, will also be produced. The recognized role of small additions of platinum to the crystal growth process will be explored by examining appropriate means for introducing the metal into the precursor powders. Required modifications to the CSP process required to produce preferable precursor powders will be established. Selected powders will be used in subsequent single crystal growth experiments (modified Czochralski growth method) to be conducted at Princeton University. Single crystal growth technology will be transferred from Princeton University to SSC, Inc. for continuing development and eventual commercialization as progress warrants.