The difference between the binding of molecules and superconductors

[annaphys]

Molecules and superconductors bind due to overlaps of the wave functions of the electrons.

1. What is the difference between these two then?
2. Why can't we look at molecules as a macroscopic wave function?

 

[Drakkith]

1. Superconductors are made up of molecules (and thus atoms), that's the difference.
2. You can. Just like you could look at your cup of coffee as a macroscopic wave function.

Have I misunderstood what you're asking?

 

[annaphys]

Yes you have. I would assume someone who knows about superconductivity would be able to answer the questions.

 

[romsofia]

Molecules and superconductors bind due to overlaps of the wave functions of the electrons.

Uh, so what? That's just math.

1. What is the difference between these two then?

Have you considered how to actually construct a superconductor at room temperature/pressure vs how molecules are constructed in reality? That should tell you how different they are physically.

2. Why can't we look at molecules as a macroscopic wave function?

Who is stopping you...? How you interpret the math is your job as a physicist, if this interpretation leads you to an insight, then great. Use that intuition.

Yes, my answers are blunt. Give us more, you obviously have some reason to relate the two ideas. If it's just the wavefunction overlapping idea, then my advice is don't get lost in the math.

 

[DrDu]

Superconductors may be viewed at as a Bose-Einstein condensate of charged particles. In usual superconductors, the compound particles are much larger than their mean distance (weak coupling limit) . However, there are superconductors, like bipolarons, where the pairs are much smaller (strong coupling). In molecules, these pairs get bound to nuclei and localized, which destroys superfluidity and superconductivity.

 

[Astronuc]

Molecules and superconductors bind due to overlaps of the wave functions of the electrons.

1. What is the difference between these two then?

With respect to molecules, is one referring to covalent bonding as in molecules like CH₄ or CO₂, or even long chain hydrocarbons, as opposed to bonding in compounds of metals and semimetals (or non-metals as in O in Cuprates), some of which have superconducting properties below a certain temperature?

I was reflecting on different types of superconductors:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-temperature_superconductivity

See also this discussion
https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.379.721&rep=rep1&type=pdf