Energy Dispersive X-Ray Diffraction Study of Glassy Bi<sub>2</sub>Sr<sub>2</sub>CaCu<sub>2</sub>O<sub>x</sub> Filaments Produced by Gas-Jet Fiberization [Thesis]

Energy dispersive x-ray diffraction was used to study the local order of samples of Bi<sub>2</sub>Sr<sub>2</sub>CaCu<sub>2</sub>O<sub>x</sub> samples produced by gas jet fiberization. This material assumes a structure which is superconducting above 90K if annealed above 820°C. These same samples form an intermediate phase, which resembles the crystal structure of the Bi<sub>2</sub>Sr<sub>2</sub>CuO<sub>x</sub> superconductor if annealed between 450°C and 600°C. The purpose of this study was to investigate the development of this intermediate phase and the local order of the glassy material from the as blown fibers. The measured density function for the samples annealed in this intermediate temperature range are in good agreement with distributions calculated from known crystal structures for these materials. The glassy sample, on the other hand, showed differences that were not completely explained by the present work, but opened paths for further study.