20世紀の物理学における偉大な発見のひとつである超伝導（ある温度（臨界温度）以下の低温で、金属または合金の電気抵抗が突然ゼロになる現象）は、今最も注目されている分野のひとつです。この発見の歴史を繙きつつ、超伝導体として認められる数々の神秘的な現象や、注目を集める高温超電導の進展、今後の展望まで網羅します。
   

• Superconductivity was one of the greatest discoveries of 20th century physics, and the theory that emerged one of the most beautiful and extraordinary achievements in theoretical physics
• Explains the many strange phenomena observed in superconducting materials
• Explores the deep implications of superconductivity theory, and its potential to revolutionize the physics and technology of the future
• Examines the very latest developments in high-temperature superconductivity, and the various and conflicting efforts to understand the phenomenon

 
Superconductivity is one of the most exciting areas of research in physics today. Outlining the history of its discovery, and the race to understand its many mysterious and counter-intuitive phenomena, this Very Short Introduction explains in accessible terms the theories that have been developed, and how they have influenced other areas of science, including the Higgs boson of particle physics and ideas about the early Universe. It is an engaging and informative account of a fascinating scientific detective story, and an intelligible insight into some deep and beautiful ideas of physics.