TIME-RESOLVED NEUTRON-DIFFRACTION STUDY OF THE SUPERCONDUCTING PHASE-FORMATION PROCESS IN THE BI(PB)-SR-CA-CU-O SYSTEM

The results of real-time neutron diffraction measurements during the superconducting phase formation process in the Bi(Pb)-Sr Ca-Cu-O system are reported. A Sr-Ca-Cu-O type precursor, with the same stoichiometry as the 2223 phase, was used as starting material, and the temperature range favorable to the formation of the 2223 phase was investigated. The diffraction patterns were processed by a multiphase Rietveld refinement. The formation and decomposition of the 2201 and 2212 phases were directly observed. Experimental evidence on the existence of a partially melted phase in the range 855-860-degrees-C, involved in the formation of the 2223 phase, is discussed.