Tri-axial Grain Orientation of Y₂Ba₄Cu₇O_<i>y</i>Achieved by the Magneto-science Method

Abstract

Tri-axial orientation of orthorhombic and twin-free Y2Ba4Cu7Oy (Y247) powders was attempted using a rotating magnetic field with modulated rate. Although magnetic anisotropy of paramagnetic Y247 originated only from the two-dimensional CuO2 and one-dimensional Cu–O chain structures are small, strong tri-axial grain orientation with misorientation angles below 1.5° was successfully achieved during the solidification process of epoxy resin. Our present results indicate the possibility of fabrication of tri- or bi-axial grain-oriented bulk and thick films without applying epitaxial methods, such as melt-solidification or thin film deposition, and that the modulated-rotation magnetic field is applicable not only to RE247 compounds but also to orthorhombic high critical temperature cuprate superconductors, including practical REBa2Cu3Oy, in principle.