Maybe because is Fermi sphere is centered in origin?

In summary, BCS theory provides an eigen-problem for the theory of superconductivity. The term E+2\frac{\hbar^2k^2_F}{2m} is used due to the Fermi sphere being centered at the origin. This value is also related to the Fermi energy, given by E_F=\frac{k_F^2}{2m}. There is a clear boundary between low temperature and high temperature superconductors, with temperatures above 30K being considered high Tc. BCS theory is specifically for low temperature superconductors and predicts an energy of bond for Cooper pairs of E=-2\hbar\omega_De^{-\frac{1}{WN(0)}} where WN(0
  • #1
Petar Mali
290
0
In the theory of superconductivity BCS theory is given eigen - problem

[tex]-\frac{\hbar^2}{2m}(\Delta_{\vec{r}_1}+\Delta_{\vec{r}_2})\psi(\vec{r}_1-\vec{r}_1)=(E+2\frac{\hbar^2k^2_F}{2m})\psi(\vec{r}_1-\vec{r}_1)[/tex]

Why [tex]E+2\frac{\hbar^2k^2_F}{2m}[/tex]?

Maybe because is Fermi sphere is centered in origin?
 
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  • #2
Petar Mali said:
In the theory of superconductivity BCS theory is given eigen - problem

[tex]-\frac{\hbar^2}{2m}(\Delta_{\vec{r}_1}+\Delta_{\vec{r}_2})\psi(\vec{r}_1-\vec{r}_1)=(E+2\frac{\hbar^2k^2_F}{2m})\psi(\vec{r}_1-\vec{r}_1)[/tex]

Why [tex]E+2\frac{\hbar^2k^2_F}{2m}[/tex]?

Maybe because is Fermi sphere is centered in origin?

This is just a convenient redefinition of the zero of energy. There are two electrons involved in the pair so it is convenient to measure energy with respect to *twice* the Fermi energy. Where the Fermi energy is supposed to be given in terms of the Fermi momentum [itex]k_F[/itex] by
[tex]
E_F=\frac{k_F^2}{2m}
[/tex]
 
  • #3
Is there a clear boundary between low temperature and high temperature superconductors? Is it maybe 40K? I ask because BCS theory is theory for low temperature superconductors. And from this theory we know that the energy of bond of Cooper pair is

[tex]E=-2\hbar\omega_De^{-\frac{1}{WN(0)}}[/tex]

where [tex]WN(0)<<1[/tex]
 
  • #4
Yes, above 30K anything is considered high Tc superconductivity, because that's the predicted upper limit of BCS theory.

Müller and Bednorz received 1986 Nobel prize immediately after discovering a ceramic structure with Tc=35K.
 
  • #5
Petar Mali said:
Is there a clear boundary between low temperature and high temperature superconductors? Is it maybe 40K? I ask because BCS theory is theory for low temperature superconductors. And from this theory we know that the energy of bond of Cooper pair is

[tex]E=-2\hbar\omega_De^{-\frac{1}{WN(0)}}[/tex]

where [tex]WN(0)<<1[/tex]

In low temperature superconductors it is thought that phonons make up the "glue" for the Cooper pairs (hence the \omega_D in your formula, etc). In high temperature superconductors the "glue" is thought to be something else...
 

1. Why is the Fermi sphere centered at the origin?

The Fermi sphere is centered at the origin because it represents the energy levels of an ideal gas at absolute zero. At this temperature, all particles in the gas are in their lowest energy state, and the Fermi level (the energy level at which there is a 50% chance of finding a particle) is at the lowest possible energy. Therefore, the Fermi sphere, which represents all the possible energy levels of the particles, must be centered at the origin.

2. How is the Fermi sphere related to the Fermi energy?

The Fermi sphere is a visual representation of the energy levels of an ideal gas at absolute zero, while the Fermi energy is the highest energy level occupied by a particle at absolute zero. The Fermi energy can be thought of as the radius of the Fermi sphere, as it represents the maximum energy level that particles in the gas can occupy.

3. Does the Fermi sphere change with temperature?

Yes, the Fermi sphere changes with temperature. As the temperature of the gas increases, the particles gain more energy and can occupy higher energy levels. This causes the Fermi sphere to expand, as the maximum energy level that particles can occupy (the Fermi energy) increases.

4. What is the significance of the Fermi sphere in solid state physics?

The Fermi sphere is important in solid state physics because it helps us understand the behavior of electrons in a solid material. At absolute zero, the electrons in a solid occupy the lowest energy levels and form a Fermi sphere in the reciprocal space. As the temperature increases, the electrons can gain more energy and move around in the solid, leading to various phenomena such as electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity.

5. Can the Fermi sphere be observed experimentally?

Yes, the Fermi sphere can be observed experimentally using techniques such as angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES). This method involves shining a beam of photons onto a sample and measuring the energy and momentum of the electrons that are ejected from the sample. By analyzing this data, the Fermi sphere can be visualized and studied in various materials.

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