The discovery by J. G. Bednorz and K. A. Mtllier in 1986 that the
superconducting state can exist in oxides at temperatures above 30 K
stimulated research in the field of superconductivity and opened up a
new field of research. Within a few years a large number of cuprate
superconductors with transition temperatures well above the boiling
point of liquid nitrogen have been found. The possibility of using
liquid nitrogen as coolant re-stimulated interest in power applications
of supercon- ductivity. In this book an overview of the known high-Te
superconductors and their physical properties is presented. Aspects
related to conductor fabrication and high-current applications are
emphasised. The material should be suitable for use in graduate- level
courses on superconductivity. Researchers in the field may profit from
the large number of tables and references describing its status at the
end of 1997. An introduction to high-To superconductivity must be based
on the fundamental physical principles of normal-state electrical
conductivity and the well-known characteristics of conventional
superconductors. In Chapter 2 this background is provided. Crystal
structures, anisotropic properties and general trends of the critical
temperatures of the cuprate superconductors are described in Chapters 3
and 4. The processing of superconductor powders addressed in Chapter 5
affects considerably the current-carrying capacity of high-T. wires. In
Chapter 6 several fabrication techniques for superconducting wires are
described. In addition, the factors limiting the transport critical
currents ofhigh-Te wires are discussed.
