High temperature oxide superconductors-their potential for high field magnetic use

The state of knowledge about high-temperature oxide superconductors, with particular reference to their potential for high-field magnet use, is reviewed. After a brief discussion of the structural and physical properties of superconductors, high-field superconducting properties are detailed. The problem of the large gap between the magnetization current density and the transport critical current density is described; various ideas concerning the weak links responsible for this gap are explored. The author concludes with a brief overview of the principal challenges facing the use of oxides for high-field magnets.