Liquid Phase Growth of YBa2Cu3O7-x at Low Temperatures Using KOHFLUX

Molten KOH method, which was reported for the growth of YBa2Cu4O8 (Y124) crystal, was applied to synthesize and grow YBa2Cu3O7-x (Y123) crystal. Y123 phase was synthesized by controlling growth temperature and oxygen partial pressure. The shape of synthesized grains was cubic-like, indicating that they grew by the transportation of solute through liquid phase. Using KOH flux method, substitution of rare-earth elements for Y in Y123 phase was easily obtained. Liquid phase epitaxy of Y123 film on a single crystalline substrate was achieved by slow cooling flux method but not by top-seeded solution growth yet.