Three Dimensional Crystal Orientation in Rare-earth-based Cuprate Superconductors by Modulated Rotating Magnetic Field

Abstract

Modulated rotating magnetic field (MRF) enables bi-axial grain arrangement of substances with tri-axial magnetic anisotropy. Even feeble magnetic (paramagnetic and diamagnetic) substances become target materials for the magnetic grain alignment by using a 10 telsa-class strong magnet. In this review article, the authors introduce high potential of the magnetic alignment technique using MRF as a fabrication process of bi-axially grain-oriented rare-earth(RE)-based cuprate superconductors. In the former topic, the bi-axial magnetic alignment of RE-based cuprate superconductors without twin microstructures at room temperature are reported for the clarification of RE-dependent magnetization axes and tri-axial magnetic anisotropies. In the latter topic, the authors show the bi-axial magnetic alignment of practical RE-based superconductors, REBa₂Cu₃O_y (RE123), with twin microstructures. The inplane orientation degrees in RE123 were lowered compared with those in RE-based cuprates without twin microstructures; however, bi-axial magnetic alignment has been successfully achieved even in RE123 with twin microstructures.