• Progress in Superconductivity and Cryogenics
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.36-41
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• 2017

The effects of $MgB_4$ addition on the superconducting properties and the microstructure of in situ processed $MgB_2$ bulk superconductors were studied. $MgB_4$ powder of 1-20 wt.% was mixed with (Mg + 2B) powder and then pressed into pellets. The pellets of (Mg + 2B + $xMgB_4$) were heat-treated at $650^{\circ}C$ for 1 h in flowing argon. The powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis for the heat-treated samples showed that the major formed phase in all samples was $MgB_2$ and the minor phases were $MgB_4$ and MgO. The full width at half maximum (FWHM) values showed that the grain size of $MgB_2$ decreased as the amount of $MgB_4$ addition increased. $MgB_4$ particles included in a $MgB_2$ matrix is considered to suppress the grain growth of $MgB_2$. The onset temperatures ($T_{c,onset}$) of $MgB_2$ with $MgB_4$ addition (0-10 wt.%) was between 37-38 K. The 20 wt.% $MgB_4$ addition slightly reduced the $T_{c,onset}$ of $MgB_2$ to 36.5 K. This result indicates that $MgB_4$ addition did not influence the superconducting transition temperature ($T_c$) of $MgB_2$ significantly. On the other hand, the small additions of 1-5 wt.% $MgB_4$ increased the critical current density ($J_c$) of $MgB_2$. The $J_c$ enhancement by $MgB_4$ addition is attributed not only to the grain size refinement but also to the possible flux pinning of $MgB_4$ particles dispersed in a $MgB_2$ matrix.

• Progress in Superconductivity
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.68-73
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• 2007

We fabricated the in-situ $MgB_2$ wires using the powder-in-tube method and investigated the effects of sintering temperature and SiC contents on the microstructure and superconducting properties. Pure $MgB_2$ wires and 5, 10, 20 wt.% SiC doped $MgB_2$ wires were sintered at $600-1000^{\circ}C$ for 30 minutes in Ar atmosphere. We found that $MgB_2$ phase was mostly formed at the sintering temperature of $700^{\circ}C$ and above, and the critical temperature ($T_c$) increased with increasing sintering temperature. For the $MgB_2$ sintered at $850^{\circ}C$, the highest critical current density ($J_c$) was obtained to be $3.7{\times}10^5\;A/cm^2$ at 5 K and 1.6 T by a magnetic properties measurement system (MPMS). The addition of SiC to the $MgB_2$ wires changed microstructure and critical properties. SEM observation showed that the $MgB_2$ core had considerable micro-cracks in undoped wire and the density of micro-cracks decreased with increasing SiC contents. The critical temperature decreased as the SiC contents increased, on the other hand, the critical current density of SiC doped $MgB_2$ wires in high magnetic field was enhanced compared to that of undoped $MgB_2$ wires.

• Progress in Superconductivity
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.72-77
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• 2009

Low temperature scanning laser microscopy (LTSLM) can be used for a two-dimensional display of bolometric response arising from the localized excitation of a sample by the focused laser beam. In this study, the distribution of critical temperature ($T_c$) and critical current density ($J_c$) in YBCO coated conductor were analyzed using LTSLM. For improving the temperature stability, we have modified the system into a double-shielding type. Through the modification, the temperature stability was successfully improved from ${\pm}10mK\;to\;{\pm}2mK$. The superconducting properties of YBCO coated conductors were measured for the sample of a narrow bridge type using wet etching process. The spatial non-uniformity of the ac voltage response, ${\delta}V(x)$, which is proportional to ${\partial}\rho(x,J_B)/{\partial}T$ in the transition temperature region could be observed and displayed in a two-dimensional image.

• Progress in Superconductivity
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.54-58
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• 2006

We have fabricated double stacked 385 filamentary Bi2212/Ag round wires which have different Ag ratios. The wires have been heat-treated at the maximum temperature($T_{max}$) of $882{\sim}896^{\circ}C$ for 0.5 h. Effect of heat treatment on critical current density and critical temperature on Bi2212/Ag round wires has been studied. Critical current density of the wire heat -treated at $890^{\circ}C$ showed 206,250 $A/cm^2$ at 4.2 K, 0 T and critical temperature of the wire was 83 K. Microstructure of the wires also has been studied via optical microscopy and SEM.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2011.08a
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• pp.183-183
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• 2011

Multiferroic materials have been widely studied in recent years, because of their abundant physics and potential applications in the sensors, data storage, and spintronics. $BiFeO_3$ is one of the well-known single-phase multiferroic materials with $ABO_3$ structure and G-type antiferromagnetic behavior below the Neel temperature $T_N$ ~ 643 K, but the ferroelectric behavior below the Curie temperature $T_c$~1,103 K. In this study, the $BiFe_{1-x}Ni_xO_3$ (x=0 and 0.05) bulk ceramics were prepared by solid-state reaction and rapid sintering with high-purity $Bi_2O_32$, $Fe_3O_4$ and NiO powders. The powders of stoichiometric proportions were mixed, as in the previous investigations, and calcined at 450$^{\circ}C$ for $BiFe_{1-x}Ni_xO_3$ for 24 h. The obtained powders were grinded, and pressed into 5-mm-thick disks of 1/2-inch diameter. The disks were directly put into the oven, which has been heated up to 800$^{\circ}C$ and sintered in air for 20 min. The sintered disks were taken out from the oven and cooled to room temperature within several min. The phase of samples was checked at room temperature by powder x-ray diffraction using a Rigaku Miniflex diffractometer with Cu K${\alpha}$ radiation. The Raman measurements were carried out by employing a hand-made Raman spectrometer with 514.5-nm-excitation $Ar^+$ laser source under air ambient condition on a focused area of 1-${\mu}m$ diameter. The field-dependent magnetization measurements were performed with a superconducting quantum-interference-device magnetometer.

• Progress in Superconductivity and Cryogenics
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.11-14
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• 2018

$MgB_2$ superconducting properties have been investigated with the surface-treated boron powders using the chemical solvents. Various solvents were used such as acetone, ethanol, methanol, and water to possibly modify the surface condition of raw boron powders as received. This treatment was done at an argon gas environment inside the glove box to reduce the further contamination during and after chemical treatments. It was found that $T_c$ values were increased to 37.58-37.73 K from the pure sample of 37.50 K when they were treated in inert environment. High- fields $J_c$ at both 5 & 20 K was all increased regardless of any kinds of chemical treatments mentioned above. It is also noted that the $J_c$ at low-fields were increased in the order of solvents: ethanol > acetone > pure $MgB_2$ = methanol > water.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.182-187
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• 2008

Carbon was known to be one of effective additives which can improve the flux pinning of $MgB_2$ at high magnetic fields. In this study, glycerin $(C_3H_8O_3)$ was selected as a chemical carbon source for the improvement of critical current density of $MgB_2$. In order to replace some of boron atoms by carbon atoms, the boron powder was heat-treated with liquid glycerin. The glycerin-treated boron powder was mixed with an appropriate amount of magnesium powder to $MgB_2$ composition and the powder pallets were heat treated at $650^{\circ}C\;and\;900^{\circ}C$ for 30 min in a flowing argon gas. It was found that the superconducting transition temperature $(T_c)$ of $Mg(B_{1-x}C_x)_2$ prepared using glycerin-treated boron powder was 36.6 K, which is slightly smaller than $T_c$(37.1 K) of undoped $MgB_2$. The critical current density $(J_c)$ of $Mg(B_{1-x}C_x)_2$ was higher than that of undoped $MgB_2$ and the $T_c$ improvement effect was more remarkable at higher magnetic fields. The $T_c$, decrease and $J_c$ increase associated with the glycerin treatment for boron powder was explained in terms of the carbon substitution to boron site.

• Progress in Superconductivity and Cryogenics
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.1-3
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• 2005

Superconducting $MgB_2$ fibers are in-situ grown by a diffusion method. The fibers are prepared by exposing B filaments to Mg vapor inside a folded Ta foil over a wide range of temperature and growth time. The materials are sealed inside a quartz tube by gas welding. The as - grown fibers are characterized by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive x - ray analysis. The fibers have a diameter of about $110{\mu}m$. Surface morphology of the fibers looks dependent on growth temperature and mixing ratio of Mg and B. Radial distribution of Mg ions into B is observed and analyzed over the cross - sectional area. Transport properties of the $MgB_2$ fibers are examined by a physical property measurement system. The $MgB_2$ fibers grown at $900^{\circ}C$ for 2 hours show a superconducting transition at 39.8K with ${\Delta}T_c<$ 2.0 K. Resistance at room temperature $MgB_2$ is 3.745 $\Omega$ and residual resistivity ratio (RRR) is estimated as 4.723.

• 한국초전도학회:학술대회논문집
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• v.9
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• pp.329-333
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• 1999

The BSCCO 2223 Ag-sheathed tapes were prepared with spray dried precursor powders, which are of different starting condition. The J$_c$ in the short tapes varied from 24 kA/ cm$^2$ to 47 kA/ cm$^2$ at 77K and 0T. The largely improvement of J$_c$ in certain tape, which characterized with the large textured BSCCO 2223 grains, homogeneity of reactant and fewer tracks of second phases in final superconducting matrixes, could be due to optimization in the precursor powder.

• Progress in Superconductivity
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.12-16
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• 2008

In this work, nano size $BaCeO_3$, which is a possible flux pinning medium of melt processed $YBa_{2}Cu_{3}O_x$ superconductor, was synthesized by the conventional solid state reaction method using powders. $BaCeO_3$ and $CeO_2$ were mixed thoroughly using a ball milling for 24 hours and calcined at $1200^{\circ}C$ for 5 hours for the formation $BaCeO_3$ powder. The obtained $BaCeO_3$ powder was attrition milled at various milling times of 60 min, 120 min and 240 min. The $BaCeO_3$ powders of various milling times were mixed with $YBa_{2}Cu_{3}O_x$ powder. Seed melt processed $YBa_{2}Cu_{3}O_x$-$BaCeO_3$ (15wt.%) superconductors were prepared and the superconducting properties were investigated. It was found that $T_c$ of $Y_{1.5}Ba_{2}Cu_{3}O_x$ samples was not significantly affected by $BaCeO_3$ addition, but $J_c$ of samples was increased by $BaCeO_3$ addition. The $J_c$ improvement by fine $BaCeO_3$ powder (120 min attrition-milled) was effective at low magnetic fields less than 2 T.