Physical properties and characterization of RuSr2GdCu2O8 (Ru-1212) grown by top seeded melt textured technique

Efforts have been made in optimizing growth conditions for bulk textured growth of RuSr2GdCu2O8 (Ru-1212) employing top seeded growth technique (TSG). Thermal stability and peritectic temperature (Tp) have been determined by TG-DTA analysis. The study facilitates appropriate thermal treatments to yield good quality sample. The structural study of the as grown sample has been carried out by X-ray diffraction technique. Morphological study by polarized optical microscope (PLOM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) reveals the growth mechanism. Subsequently, the stoichiometry has been confirmed by energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX). The observed characterization results show the influence of superconducting property on growth technique and allow one to correlate between the physical properties and experimental technique.