Crystal Chemistry of Superconducting Copper Mixed Oxides and Related Phases

This text deals with copper mixed oxides which have been one of the most exciting materials of the last decade due to their super-conducting properties. The topics discussed include the layer structures of copper mixed oxides in which the CuO2 layers play a major role for superconductivity; the special structural feature which gives rise to a large variety of compounds whose superconducting properties strongly depend upon the arrangement of the CuO2 layers. The knowldge of the structures thus gives the reader a better understanding of the relationship between the chemical composition and the physical properties. This opens new avenues for the optimization of the physical properties and for the search of new superconductors.