We have proposed that superconductivity is driven by a
decrease of
kinetic energy of the carriers.
In quantum mechanics, carrier delocalization leads to lowering of kinetic energy. The theory of hole superconductivity predicts that when hole carriers pair they delocalize and lower their kinetic energy. This is the driving force for superconductivity. An experimental signature of it is change in color when the material becomes superconducting.
This is a new and qualitatively different paradigm for superconductivity. In the conventional BCS theory , superconductivity is driven by lowering of potential energy of carriers when they form pairs, and they increase their kinetic energy. Instead, in the new paradigm carriers pair because their kinetic energy decreases, even if there is some cost in potential energy. This is proposed to be the driving force for superconductivity in all materials.
Apparent violation of the conductivity sum rule in certain superconductors, Physica C199, 305 (1992).
Superconductors that Change Color when they Become Superconducting. Physica C201, 347 (1992).
Color change and other unusual spectroscopic features predicted by the model of hole superconductivity , J. Phys. Chem. Solids 54, 1101 (1993).
Where is 99% of the condensation energy of Tl_2Ba_2CuO_y coming from? With F. Marsiglio , cond-mat/9908322, Physica C 331, 150 (2000).
Optical sum rule violation, superfluid weight and condensation energy in the cuprates With F. Marsiglio , cond-mat/0004496, Phys. Rev. B 62, 15131 (2000).
Anisotropic penetration depth and optical sum rule violation in La2-xSrxCuO4 With F. Marsiglio , cond-mat/0005002, presented at the 6th International Conference on Materials and Mechanisms of Superconductivity, Houston, February 2000, Physica C 341-348, 2217 (2000).
Hole superconductivity from kinetic energy gain ,cond-mat/0005033, presented at the 6th International Conference on Materials and Mechanisms of Superconductivity, Houston, February 2000, Physica C 341-348, 213 (2000).
Superconductivity and Ferromagnetism from Effective Mass Reduction , cond-mat/0007453, presented at the 6th International Conference on Materials and Mechanisms of Superconductivity, Houston, February 2000, Physica C 341-348, 211 (2000).
The True Colors of Cuprates , Science 295, 2226 (2002)
Quasiparticle undressing in a dynamic Hubbard model: exact diagonalization study , cond-mat/0205006 (2002), Phys.Rev. B66, 064507 (2002).
Quasiparticle undressing: a new route to collective effects in solids , cond-mat/0211642 (2002).