Transport measurements in single-grain GdBCO+Ag bulk superconductors processed by infiltration growth.

Transport measurements performed on a cross-sectional slice prepared from a bulk GdBa2Cu3O7-x-Ag single-grain superconductor of 25 mm in diameter are described and the results presented. The sample, which was fabricated via the buffer-assisted top-seeded infiltration growth process, was capable of trapping a maximum magnetic field of ~ 1 T at 77 K. Transport measurements on superconducting, bulk single-grain RE-Ba-Cu-O [(RE)BCO] samples are generally very challenging due to their large critical current densities and poor mechanical properties. We present a straightforward and reliable approach to prepare reproducibly specimens from the parent single grain and results of transport property measurements on these samples in a commercial Physical Property Measurement System (PPMS). Critical current densities determined via magnetic and transport measurements are compared and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]