High Temperature Super Conductivity

This paper presents a layman's view of the recent development of high temperature superconductivity. It summarizes the excitement this new discovery generates among the scientific community, government officials and agencies, and the broad coverage of the discovery by the news media. The basic characteristics and a simplified BCS theory of conventional superconductivity will be described. The discovery of the new class of high-temperature superconductors (copper oxide base superconductors) will be discussed.