The recent discovery of high-temperature superconductivity in copper based oxides is an event of major importance not only with respect to the physical phenomenon itself but also because it definitely shows that solid state chemistry, and especially the crystal chemistry of oxides, has a crucial place in the synthesis and understanding of new materials for future appli cations. The numerous papers published in the field of high Tc supercon ductors in the last five years demonstrate that the great complexity of these materials necessitates a close collaboration between physicists and solid state chemists. This book is based to a large extent on our experience of the crystal chemistry of copper oxides, which we have been studying in the laboratory for more than twelve years, but it also summarizes the main results which have been obtained for these compounds in the last five years relating to their spectacular superconducting properties. We have focused on the struc ture, chemical bonding and nonstoichiometry of these materials, bearing in mind that redox reactions are the key to the optimization of their supercon ducting properties, owing to the importance of the mixed valence of copper and its Jahn-Teller effect. We have also drawn on studies of extended defects by high-resolution electron microscopy and on their creation by ir radiation effects.

This review volume contains the most up-to-date articles on the chemical aspects of high temperature oxide superconductors. These articles are written by some of the leading scientists in the field and includes a comprehensive list of references. This is an essential volume for researchers working in the fields of ceramics, materials science and chemistry.

The purpose of this book is to offer the high-Tc community a comprehensive, state-of-the-art review on bulk processing with the hope that the book would serve in part as an updated review for expert scientists and in part as a reference/text book on processing for young scientists/graduate students and those who wish to keep track of advances and technological trends in HTSC.Readers in the superconductor science/technology/education areas will find this book prepared by the world's leading experts informative and useful.

The high expectations set on ceramic materials in recent years have always been balanced by the very considerable difficulties seen in reaching the required levels of reproducibility and cost. Indications of the significant progress, which can be seen in the papers presented in this volume, coupled with the recognition that considerable problems still lie between the state of the art and the full and confident exploitation of the many merits of ceramics, provide a healthy basis for the profitable selection of future research directions. The mastery of ceramic processing and the imaginative matching of the properties of these materials to diverse applications remain among the most promising sectors for technological development.

This is the second of three volumes of the extensively revised and updated second edition of the Handbook of Superconductivity. The past twenty years have seen rapid progress in superconducting materials, which exhibit one of the most remarkable physical states of matter ever to be discovered. Superconductivity brings quantum mechanics to the scale of the everyday world where a single, coherent quantum state may extend over a distance of metres, or even kilometres, depending on the size of a coil or length of superconducting wire. Viable applications of superconductors rely fundamentally on an understanding of this intriguing phenomena and the availability of a range of materials with bespoke properties to meet practical needs. While the first volume covers the fundamentals of superconductivity and the various classes of superconducting materials, Volume 2 covers processing of the desired superconducting materials into desired forms: bulks, films, wires and junction-based devices. The volume closes with articles on the refrigeration methods needed to put the materials into the superconducting state. Key Features: Covers the depth and breadth of the field Includes contributions from leading academics and industry professionals across the world Provides hands-on guidance to the manufacturing and processing technologies A comprehensive reference, the handbook is suitable for both graduate students and practitioners in experimental physics, materials science, and multiple engineering disciplines, including electronic and electrical, chemical, mechanical, metallurgy and others.

High temperature superconductors have received a great deal of attention in recent years, due to their potential in device and power applications. This book summarises the materials science and physics of all the most important high temperature superconductors as well as discussing material growth, properties and applications.Part one covers fundamental characteristics of high temperature superconductors and high TC films such as deposition technologies, growth, transport properties and optical conductivity. Part two is concerned with growth techniques and properties of high temperature superconductors, including YBCO, BSCCO and HTSC high TC films, and electron-doped cuprates. Finally, part three describes the various applications of high temperature superconductors, from Josephson junctons and dc-superconductive quantum inference devices (dc-SQUIDs) to microwave filters.With its distinguished editor and international team of contributors, this book is an invaluable resource for those researching high temperature superconductors, in industry and academia. In light of the many recent advances in high temperature superconductors, it will benefit physicists, materials scientists and engineers working in this field, as well as in areas of industrial application, such as electronic devices and power transmission. - Summarises the materials science and physics of all the most important high temperature superconductors - Discusses material growth, properties and applications - Outlines fundamental characteristics of high temperature superconductors and high TC films