Single Crystal Growth of Magnesium Diboride by Using Low Melting Point Alloy Flux

TL;DR

This study demonstrates the growth of magnesium diboride single crystals using low melting alloy fluxes, revealing their superconducting properties and potential for future applications despite current quality limitations.

Contribution

It introduces a method for growing magnesium diboride crystals with low melting alloy fluxes, highlighting their superconducting temperatures and potential as flux options.

Findings

MgB2 superconducts at 38.3 K and 34.11 K in different fluxes

MgB4 is present but non-superconducting in samples

Crystals are flaky, irregular, and of low quality

Abstract

Magnesium diboride crystals were grown with low melting alloy flux. The sample with superconductivity at 38.3 K was prepared in the zinc-magnesium flux and another sample with superconductivity at 34.11 K was prepared in the cadmium-magnesium flux. MgB4 was found in both samples, and MgB4's magnetization curve being above zero line had not superconductivity. Magnesium diboride prepared by these two methods is all flaky and irregular shape and low quality of single crystal. However, these two metals should be the optional flux for magnesium diboride crystal growth. The study of single crystal growth is very helpful for the future applications.