Electrical and magnetic properties of high T_c melt growth processed YBaCuO rods

YBaCuO rods have been textured using a moving thermal gradient method. Micrographs show well aligned (123) grains and 211 inclusions. The electrical resistivity transition is sharp, but broadens under an applied magnetic field. The thermoelectric power presents a smooth rise above the critical temperature. The AC susceptibility real part is smooth, but the imaginary part presents some fine structure. All properties are those of quasi single crystal materials. The critical current density is high (7000 A/cm² at 80 K, 5 kG). It increases logarithmically with frequency.