Spatial distribution of superconducting properties in high rate directionally solidified YBCO samples

We report on spatial distribution of structural and superconducting properties in directionally solidified YBCO samples. The recrystallization process of produced YBCO bar was determined by a motion into a horizontal furnace at very high pulling rate in a fixed thermal gradient. Texturing and stoichiometry of several slices cut from the original bar have been studied by XRD and SEM with coupled EDS analysis. The magnetisation cycles of all the slices (M(H) Loops) were obtained by means a Vibrating Sample Magnetometer at 70 K using applied magnetic fields up to 2 tesla.