The Chemical Bond and Superconductivity.
Abstract
The search for understanding of the physical mechanisms operating in the recently discovered high Tc superconductors forces a re-examination of the basic concepts and physical assumptions of current theoretical approaches. The attractive interaction of a more general theory may be rather more complicated than the electron-phonon interaction usually assumed. In fact, it probably contains the critical chemical parameters of the material. This is the motivation for the present work in which the focus is two-fold: first, to call attention to some recent developments in our understanding of the chemical bond, and second, to purpose that this new understanding is not only germane to the electronic structure of solids but also provides a new perspective on the relationship between the chemical bond and superconductivity. Studying the connection between chemical bonding and superconductivity would seem to be rather academic exercise if it were not for the high temperature superconductors. These materials have brought to our attention in a dramatic fashion the ignorance which exists in relating chemistry to the important physical parameters of a superconductor. Although this point was raised in numerous contributions by Matthias, its full import was never so apparent when the superconductors were 'traditional' metals and alloys.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1987
- Accession Number
- ADA184275
Entities
People
- Richard P. Messmer
Organizations
- University of Pennsylvania