Superconductivity: The Next Revolution? - Hardcover

Vidali, Gianfranco

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0521373786 ISBN 13: 9780521373784

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 1993

Synopsis

In this book Professor Vidali describes in plain, nontechnical terms how conventional superconductivity was discovered 80 years ago, why it took nearly fifty years to understand it, and the physical explanation of why it exists. He chronicles the developments that led up to the discovery of high temperature superconducting materials, and describes the excitement generated by announcements of the new discoveries in 1987 at a scientific conference that became known as the "Woodstock of physics". Finally, he speculates on possible future applications of these new materials.

About this title

Book Description

In 1987 the discovery of "high temperature superconductors" captured the attention of the scientific world and the media. This book chronicles the history, science, and potential applications of superconductivity and the new high temperature superconducting materials.

Review

"With everything that has been published about superconductivity since 1987, could we possibly need another book on the subject? The answer is yes: one written at a level more detailed and with greater scope than an encyclopedia or Scientific American-style article, more intellectually accessible to interested--but not specialist--readers knowledgeable in physical science than are the professional-level books and articles on the subject. It is this niche that this book has been written to fill, which it does with considerable success." Robert J. Cava, Nature

"...a fairly accessible account of superconductivity, its discovery, importance and explanation, in a way which presupposes little specialist knowledge. The historical background helps to convey some of the excitement of scientific discovery....would be ideal for novice physicists such as bright sixth-formers or beginning undergraduates, and of interest to scientists in other disciplines, including chemistry....Vidali's book can be recommended to anyone who would like to know more about it." Tony Cox, The Times Higher Education Supplement

"...an interesting and informative account of the race to liquefy gases..readily readable and does a good job of historical exposition." Mario Rabinowitz, Foundations of Physics

Edition details

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 1993
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0521373786
• ISBN 13: 9780521373784
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 177