The materials, physics and engineering of high temperature superconductor microwave devices

Passive microwave components may be the first high temperature superconductor devices available for widespread commercialization. In this chapter we give an overview of the aspects of material science, physics and engineering which directly impact high Tc superconductor microwave devices. A strong emphasis is placed on the issues which limit device performance. The methods of fabrication and the relevant properties of the high Tc superconducting films are reviewed. The mechanisms of microwave loss in both the superconductor and the dielectric substrate are discussed. Representative microwave devices are described in detail. Potential applications are illustrated with both performance and cost comparisons to current technology. (orig.)