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Rare earth elements with large ionic radius were substituted for yttrium in Y123 superconducting melt textured bulk samples. The solidification rate in (Nd,Sm)123 was found to significantly increase in a wider solidification range and higher recrystallization rate than Y123. Comparisons were also conducted among directionally solidified (Y,Sm,Nd)1Ba2Cu3O7-x bulk bars developed using the horizontal Bridgman method.

The use of microsecond pulsed deposition to achieve anodic oxidation of YBa2Cu3O(7-x) thin films at room temperature is investigated. Specifically, currents of up to 15.2 A were applied to oxygen-deficient thin films in aqeous solution at five kilohertz for a period of 1.3 microsecond. The procedure, which enhanced the oxygen stoichiometry of the films, restored the superconducting capabilities and modified the microstructure of the films.

Rare Earth (Nd,Sm) elements, having relatively large ionic radius, have been substituted for Yttrium in Y123 superconducting melt textured bulk samples. In (Nd,Sm)123 a wider solidification range and higher recrystallization rate than Y123 significantly increase the solidification rate, making the whole process much faster. A preliminary comparison among directionally solidified (Y,Sm,Nd)/sub 1/Ba/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7-x/ bulk bars fabricated by the Horizontal Bridgman method has been done. The different microstructural and superconducting features are studied by X-ray, SEM analysis, and ac and dc magnetic measurements. The (Nd,Sm)123 samples, appear comparable to Y123 grown with a pulling rate almost two orders of magnitude lower. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]