Variables affecting the fabrication of single grain YBa₂Cu₃O_7-y superconductors by the top-seeded melt growth process

In this article, we summarize the variables affecting the fabrication of a single grain YBCO superconductor by a top-seeded melt-growth- (TSMG-) process. The important variables are the seed melting and the resolidification which lead to the formation of undesirable subsidiary Y123 grains at the seeded area, and nucleation at both the compact/substrate interfaces and compact surfaces. The undesirable Y123 nucleation acts as the main obstacles for the fabrication of the single grain Y123 superconductor because of its competitive growth with the Y123 grain grown from the seed. The methods of suppressing the formation of the subsidiary Y123 nucleation, and of shortening the entire processing time of the TSMG process were suggested.