Superconducting bearings

The physics and technology of superconducting bearings is reviewed. Particu lar attention is given to the use of high-temperature superconductors (HTSs ) in rotating bearings. The basic phenomenology of levitational forces is p resented, followed by a brief discussion of the theoretical models that can be used for conceptual understanding and calculations. The merits of vario us HTS bearing designs are presented, and the behaviour of HTS bearings in typical situations is discussed. The article concludes with a brief survey of various proposed applications for HTS bearings.