Crystallization from a Glassy State in the Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O System

Abstract
The crystallization process of glassy mixtures of Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O was investigated by annealing the melt-quenched specimens. Apparent crystallization of Bi2(Sr, Ca)2CuO x (A-phase) containing a stacking fault along the c-plane was observed by high resolution electron microscopy on the specimens annealed at 500°C for 6 h in air, where very broad peaks appeared in the X-ray diffraction patterns. With increasing the annealing temperature, crystals of both the A and Bi2(Ca, Sr)3Cu2O x (B-) phases grew together, and the A-phase disappeared only when the annealing temperature reached higher than 800°C. A tentative phase relation is discussed on the basis of the present results.