The Effect of Y2O3 Buffer Layer on the Magnetic Properties of Melt-Processed YBCO Superconductor

In this study, two kinds of melt-processed YBCO samples (Y1050-1 and Y1050-2) grown on a buffer layer of Y2O3 addition were fabricated. The compacted powders were located on a crucible with Y2O3 powder freely poured and a buffer layer of pressed Y2O3 to avoid liquid to spread on the furnace plate. The superconducting transition temperature was determined by a standard four-point method at temperatures between 40 and 100 K. The transition temperatures of Y1050-1 and Y1050-2 were found to be 91.6 and 92.9 K at zero magnetic fields, respectively. The magnetization measurements were performed using a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) on the same system at 5, 40, and 77 K. The critical current densities for Y1050-1 and Y1050-2 samples were determined to be 6.5x10(3) and 5.6x10(3) A/cm(2) at 77 K in zero magnetic fields, respectively. The trapped magnetic field measurements of the samples were performed by using a Hall probe scanning device and a Fe-Nd-B permanent magnet at 77 K. It was found that the trapped magnetic field of the Y1050-1 sample is higher than that of the Y1050-2 sample.