Superinsulators: How Do They Achieve Infinite Resistivity on an Atomic Level?

[Hami Hashmi]

What exactly are superinsulators? I heard that they have infinite resistivity but the Wikipedia article does not give too much of an in-depth explanation on how they work. Does anyone know how they work on a atomic level?

 

[anorlunda]

Both superconductivity and superinsulation are caused by the pairing of conduction electrons at low temperatures into Cooper pairs. In superconductors, all the pairs move in unison, allowing current without resistance. In superinsulators the Cooper pairs avoid each other, preventing current from flowing. A phase diagram showing parallels with superconductivity is here.

Interesting question.

It sounds like the flip side of superconductivity with Cooper pairs. For more in-depth explanations, look up superconductivity or "Cooper pairs" for the atomic level stuff.

 

[ZapperZ]

What exactly are superinsulators? I heard that they have infinite resistivity but the Wikipedia article does not give too much of an in-depth explanation on how they work. Does anyone know how they work on a atomic level?

Start with this review:

https://www.nature.com/articles/452542a

Zz.