Phase diagram of Bi<i>n</i>SrCaCu3−<i>n</i>O<i>y</i> on the line 1≤<i>n</i>≤2

Abstract

The pseudobinary phase diagram of BinSrCaCu3−nOy was determined on the line 1≤n≤2 upon which the low Tc superconductor phase [Bi2(Sr,Ca)3Cu2Oy] and the semiconductor phase [Bi2(Sr,Ca)2CuOy] are located. The liquidus line of the superconductor phase was found to lie in the region 1.6≤n≤1.875. A small quantity of transparent crystal was found even in the melting phase, which suggests that samples with these compositions do not melt homogeneously. Therefore, single crystals or single-phase superconductor materials apparently can be grown from the liquid phase by obtaining a homogeneous melt in this region.