Fabrication and properties of aligned Sr_0.6K _0.4Fe₂As₂ superconductors by high magnetic field processing

We fabricated a c-axis aligned Sr_0.6K_0.4Fe ₂As₂ superconductor using a two-step magnetic field procedure. The effect of the magnetic fields on the structure and superconducting properties of Sr_0.6K_0.4Fe ₂As₂ is investigated using x-ray diffraction and magnetic measurements. The degree of orientation of the samples is about 0.39 for the c axis and 0.51 for ab-plane orientation, as evaluated from the Lotgering factor of x-ray diffraction. This technology may be useful in a variety of potential applications, including preparing iron-based superconducting bulks and wires with high critical currents.