Crystal orientation in Bi-based superconducting glass-ceramics prepared in high magnetic field

A high magnetic field of 10 T was applied to the crystallization process of Bi2Sr2CaCu2Ox superconducting precursor glasses, and the effect of high magnetic field on crystal grain orientations and superconducting properties were examined from electrical resistivity measurements, X-ray diffraction analyses and scanning electron microscope observations. The glass-ceramics prepared in a high magnetic field show better superconducting properties (higher critical temperature, larger critical current density, and smaller normal-state resistivity) compared with the samples crystallized in a normal heat-treatment with no magnetic field. It was found that Bi2212 crystal grains with a plate-like shape tend to stack to the direction of the magnetic field, i.e., the orientation of the c-axis of the Bi2212 phase to the direction of the magnetic field.