Some general remarks on metastability and high-Tc superconductivity

The concept of metastability is examined with a view to gaining a better understanding of the relationship between metastability and superconductivity. Based on an analysis of the structural and electronic stability of solids, it is suggested that the ground state of matter itself (geometrically) is metastable, in agreement with quantum-mechanical ground-state considerations. It is further suggested that the superconducting state is one of the realizations of the ground state of solids in the sense of both the electronic and atomic arrangements.