High Tc ceramic superconductors: introduction, background, and challenges to the electron microscopist

This introductory article reviews the recent developments in high Tc superconducting ceramics. Particular emphasis is given to the structural and chemical aspects of these compounds that may be of interest to the electron microscopist. Included are some of the contributions made by electron microscopy techniques over the last 10 months. The applications of electron microscopy to solving practical problems associated with these exciting new materials are also discussed.