Carbon Based Superconductors

We review the characteristics of some carbon based novel superconductors which emerged in the past two decades since the discovery of superconductivity in the high-T_c oxocuprates. In particular, we summarize the properties of ternary layered carbide halides of the rare rarth metals with composition RE2C2X2 (RE = Y, La; X=Cl, Br, I) and of the rare earth di- and sesquicarbides, YC2, LaC2 and La2C3. Finally, we briefly discuss the properties of the recently discovered Ca and Yb intercalated graphite superconductors, CaC6 and YbC6.