Title: The Gap Symmetry and Fluctuations in High-Tc Superconductors
Abstract: Since the discovery in 1986 of high temperature superconductors by J. G. Bednorz and K. A. Müller, a considerable progress has been made and several important scientific problems have emerged.Within this NATO Advanced Study Institute our intention was to focus mainly on the controversial topic of the symmetry of the superconducting gap and given the very short coherence length, the role of fluctuations.The Institute on 'The Gap Symmetry and Fluctuations in High-Superconductors' took place in the "Institut d'Etudes Scientifiques de Cargèse" in Corsica, France, between 1 -13 September 1997.The 110 participants from 18 countries (yet 30 nationalities) including 23 full time lecturers, have spent two memorable weeks in this charming Mediterranean resort.All lecturers were asked to prepare pedagogical papers to clearly present the central physical idea behind specific model or experiment.The better understanding of physics of high temperature superconductivity is certainly needed to guide the development of applications of these materials in high and weak current devices.The chosen topics were highly controversial, so the scientific discussions were often very lively.Even now, most controversies are not quite settled as can be seen from the contributions in this Proceedings.Due to the considerable progress in preparation of better quality materials we now have good single crystals hence the high precision experiments are reproducible and reliable.Therefore it was timely to compare the results of several recent experiments with interpretations of various theoretical models.More indepth research will ultimately give complete answers and thorough understanding of this fascinating subject.At present, this volume should provide a useful insight into our contemporary understanding of physics of high-oxides and will certainly raise a few more profound questions.