Characterization of interfacial growth between Bi(2212) and Ag coating

The growth of hillocks at the interface between Bi(2212) and Ag has been found to occur over a wide range of oxygen partial pressure and in the vicinity of 700/spl deg/C, a temperature far below the Bi(2212)-Bi(2223) conversion temperature. These hillocks have been examined by environmental scanning microscope (ESEM) and regular SEM in secondary and backscattering modes. Definitive chemical analysis is still an open question. The Ag is highly mobile at these temperatures.