A discussion by an assembly of expert physicists and materials scientists, embracing the specific features of vortex-pin interactions, the modes of different kinds of vortex motion under the action of Lorenz force, and the mechanisms of dissipation. The effects of transport and screening currents, superimposed AC magnetic fields and the microwave electromagnetic irradiation on vortex behaviour define the electromagnetic properties of a high-Tc superconducting material. The mechanisms driving the depinning of vortices and the dynamics of their motion determine the critical current density and its file dependence, the mechanisms of energy dissipation, and linear and nonlinear resistivity, AC losses, and noise in electronic circuitry. The book therefore has direct implications for the development of new devices and components in electrical engineering, modern electronics, computer technology, and microwave communication.

Proceedings of the NATO Advanced Study Institute, Kusadasi, Turkey, July 26-August 8, 1998

This volume contains the proceedings of The Second Polish-US Conf- ence on High Temperature Superconductivity which was held August 18-21, 1998 in Karpacz, Poland. The conference followed The First Polish-US C- ference on High Temperature Superconductivity organized in 1995, proce- ings of which were published by Springer-Verlag in 1996 (Recent Devel- ments in High Temperature Superconductivity, Lecture Notes in Physics 475). High Temperature Superconductivity (HTSC) in complex copper oxides has become a household name after twelve years of intense research following its discovery in 1986 by J. G. Bednorz and K. A. Miiller. Because of the rapid growth of the HTSC field, there is a need for periodic summary and conden- tion both for scientists working in the field and, especially, for young resear- ers entering the field of oxide materials. Following the First Conference, it was recognized that an extended format of lectures perfectly satisfied that need, providing adequate time for experts from the international community to fully introduce and develop complex ideas. Thus, the format of the Second Conference brought together by cooperating scientists from the Institute of Low Temperature and Structure Research of the Polish Academy of Science at Wroctaw, Northern Illinois University, and Argonne National Laboratory remained mostly unchanged. Again, we were delighted to receive enthusiastic responses from distinguished US and Polish scientists who were invited to p- ticipate.

Since the 1980s, a general theme in the study of high-temperature superconductors has been to test the BCS theory and its predictions against new data. At the same time, this process has engendered new physics, new materials, and new theoretical frameworks. Remarkable advances have occurred in sample quality and in single crystals, in hole and electron doping in the development of sister compounds with lower transition temperatures, and in instruments to probe structure and dynamics. Handbook of High-Temperature Superconductvity is a comprehensive and in-depth treatment of both experimental and theoretical methodologies by the the world's top leaders in the field. The Editor, Nobel Laureate J. Robert Schrieffer, and Associate Editor James S. Brooks, have produced a unified, coherent work providing a global view of high-temperature superconductivity covering the materials, the relationships with heavy-fermion and organic systems, and the many formidable challenges that remain.

Ginzburg–Landau theory is an important tool in condensed matter physics research, describing the ordered phases of condensed matter, including the dynamics, elasticity, and thermodynamics of the condensed configurations. In this systematic introduction to Ginzberg–Landau theory, both common and topological excitations are considered on the same footing (including their thermodynamics and dynamical phenomena). The role of the topological versus energetic considerations is made clear. Required mathematics (symmetry, including lattice translation, topology, and perturbative techniques) are introduced as needed. The results are illustrated using arguably the most fascinating class of such systems, high Tc superconductors subject to magnetic field. This book is an important reference for both researchers and graduate students working in condensed matter physics or can act as a textbook for those taking advanced courses on these topics.

This second edition has been brought up to date by the inclusion of an extensive new chapter on aspects relevant to high-temperature superconductors. The new edition provides researchers, engineers and other scientists with an introduction to the field and makes useful supplementary reading for graduate students in low-temperature physics.

Proceedings of the NATO Advanced Research Workshop on Ferrimagnetic Nano-crystalline and Thin Film Magnetooptical and Microwave Materials, Sozopol, Bulgaria, 27 September - 3 October, 1998

This handbook is about a remarkable set of materials that are technically referred to as "mesoscopic superconductors", which for all practical purposes are tiny or small in their dimensions, ranging from a few micrometers down to a nanometer. At this level of smallness, the superconducting properties are dramatically changed, showing the dominance of quantum effects. Ground breaking research studies of small superconductors have emerged, and in a world obsessed with miniaturization of electronic device technology, small superconductors acquire even greater relevance and timeliness for the development of exciting novel quantum devices. The chapters, contributed by noted researchers and frontrunners in the field from 15 countries, are presented in three parts, namely progress in basic studies, materials specific research, and advances in nanodevices. The contents of the handbook should be of immediate interest to advanced level university students and researchers particularly in physics, materials science, nanoscience and engineering departments. Various reviews and overviews appearing in the book should answer the queries and curiosities of non-specialists interested in nanoscale superconductivity. At the start, the book carries an extended introduction for readers new to the field. The book should also appeal to scientists and engineers from electronic industries interested in knowing the current status of the theory, manufacture, and future of mesoscopic superconductors. In doing so, this volume offers the opportunity to engage with cutting edge research in one of the most exciting fields of physics today and tomorrow.

The main features of high-temperature superconductors (HTSC) that define their properties are intrinsic brittleness of oxide cuprates, the layered anisotropic structure and the supershort coherence length. Taking into account these features, this treatise presents research into HTSC microstructure and properties, and also explores the possibilities of optimization of the preparation techniques and superconducting compositions. The "composition-technique-experiment-theory-model," employed here, assumes considerable HTSC defectiveness and structure heterogeneity and helps to draw a comprehensive picture of modern representations of the microstructure, strength and the related structure-sensitive properties of the materials considered. Special attention is devoted to the Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O and Y-Ba-Cu-O families, which currently offer the most promising applications. Including a great number of illustrations and references, this monograph addresses students, post-graduate students and specialists, taking part in the development, preparation and research of new materials. The new edition had been updated intensively, especially experimental investigations and modeling conductive and elastic properties of HTC superconductors have been added.

Magneto-Optical Imaging has developed rapidly over the last decade to emerge as a leading technique to directly visualise the static and dynamic magnetic behaviour of materials, capable of following magnetic processes on the scale of centimeters to sub-microns and at timescales from hours to nanoseconds. The images are direct, real-time, and give space-resolved information, such as ultrafast magnetic processes and revealing the motion of individual vortices in superconductors. The book is a fully up-to-date report of the present status of the technique.