Synthesis of high-quality FeSe_0.5Te_0.5 polycrystal using an easy one-step technique

Abstract We report an easy one-step technique to synthesize high-quality FeSe_0.5Te_0.5 polycrystal. The resulting sample crystallized in a tetragonal structure and just contained a small amount of impurity. Textured grains and a good homogeneity of element distribution were demonstrated. Furthermore, the resulting FeSe_0.5Te_0.5 polycrystal showed high superconducting performance. Compared with the FeSe_0.5Te_0.5 polycrystals prepared by other techniques, our sample exhibits the highest superconducting transition temperature about 14.1 K, the sharpest superconducting transition width about 1.6 K and the largest value of critical current density about 3 × 10⁴ A/cm² at 5 K in self-field. Our easy one-step technique is greatly promising for superconducting applications, especially, in the fabrication of high-quality Fe(Se,Te) wires, tapes and films.