Single-crystal growth and characterization of the Pb0.5Sr2.5Y1−xCaxCu2Oy system

Two kinds of methods such as spontaneous nucleation from flux-free stoichiometric melt and CuO flux method have been used for the growth of Pb0.5Sr2.5Y1−xCaxCu2Oy single crystals. The morphologies, phases, and compositions occurring in the crystals grown from the two kinds of methods were compared systematically. Optimum conditions for the growth of larger 1212 phase single crystals are x =0.15, 0.25, and 0.35. The lattice parameters of the crystals with the 1212 phase were found to be increasing upon Ca doping. The resistivity behavior of the PbSrYCaCuO single crystals with the 1212 phase both in the state of as-grown and after extended annealings under various oxygen partial pressure was also discussed briefly.