These proceedings include 76 papers on vortex structure and dynamics, flux pinning, flux creep and melting, critical state phenomena, weak links as well as technical problems for fabrication of materials with high critical current density, for both high-temperature and low-temperature superconductors.

This workshop includes about 110 papers describing the flux pinning and related electromagnetic phenomena in superconductors. Various problems are argued on exotic properties of flux lines, flux dynamics, flux pinning mechanisms, critical current density and critical state phenomena in both high- and low-temperature superconductors.

Since the discovery of superconductivity with trans1tton temperatures above 77 K, concentrated research activities toward the exploration of practical applica tions of these materials have been carried out. Currently, a remarkable improve ment in superconducting properties has been achieved due to the fine optimization of fabrication processes, and this has attracted industrial interest for future applications. In the case of NdBa Cu 0 materials, a new pinning mecha 2 3 7 nism was found which enhances the critical current under applied magnetic fields. In single crystals of these materials, oxygen control results in an increase in the growth rate. The metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) film quality has been improved by using a new liquid raw material. Simultaneously, real demands from the viewpoint of the market start to be a motivation force, es pecially in electronics application where some products are already being sold. At the same time, interesting physical properlies have been obtained from a new superconducting single crystal which has a layered perovskite structure without copper. In addition, various precision measurement techniques have confirmed the d-wave mechanism and the existence of intrinsicJosephson junctions in single crystals. These new phenomena challenge the existing theoretical models but also open the way for new applications. These significant areas of progress in materials science have led high-Tc super conductivity research into the next phase of activity, while fundamental research continues to be very important. I sincerely hope that this volume will give further impetus to this development.

Provides coverage of the ongoing investigations on bismuth-based high-temperature cuprate superconductors, integrating scattered research activities and literature from 70 leading scientists throughout the world. The text covers crystal structures and microstructures, reversible or equilibrium magnetic and thermal properties, atomic site tunnel spectroscopy, experimental studies concerning equilibrium phases, and more.

This volume consists of lectures highlighting fundamentals of advances in superconducting materials, related technologies and applications. Theory, fundamental aspects, advances in materials synthesis, processing and properties are featured, as well as current developments of superconducting components and devices.Both HTC and LTC superconducting materials are discussed. Several years after the discovery of high Tc superconductivity and a multinational effort in its study, this book collects the main results on the subject and presents a state-of-the-art view of the correlations between crystal chemistry and physical properties.