Published online by Cambridge University Press: 21 February 2011
A review is given of defects occurring in the superconducting oxides YBa2Cu3O7, (Bi,Tl)2(Sr,Ba)2CanCul+nO6+2n, and Pb2Sr2(Cal-xYx)nCu2+nO6+2n+∂. A number of these defect structures correspond to other thermodynamically stable phases. The observations of these defects have led in several cases to successful synthesis of new superconducting compounds. Defects can effect the superconducting properties, which they can either deteriorate (weak links) or improve (flux pinning). Both effects are considered.