Laser textured Bi-2212 in planar geometries
A laser assisted zone melting process has been used to texture large Bi-2212 planar polycrystalline samples with approximate dimensions 100 mm/spl times/10 mm/spl times/1 mm. This technique opens the possibility of producing large bulk textured samples attractive for power devices. The effect of growth parameters on the microstructure has been studied by scanning electronic microscopy and EDX microanalysis. The microstructure that results from the solidification profile has been correlated with the transport properties at temperatures around 77 K. In order to deduce the dissipation mechanism that limits the transport critical current in these planar samples, the temperature dependence of the critical current for these samples has been compared with that exhibited for the well-developed laser floating zone Bi-2212 rods.