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Published on: August 2, 2019
The possibility of a liquid superconductor
Peter P Edwards1, C N R Rao, N Kumar
1Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory, University of Oxford South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QR, UK. peter.edwards@chem.ox.ac.uk
Summary
Researchers propose a novel superconducting charged Bose liquid, potentially existing in a true liquid state at ambient pressure. This could revolutionize condensed matter physics and materials science by enabling high-temperature superconductivity in liquids.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Superconductivity
- Materials Science
Background:
- Superconductors are typically solids, observed well below their melting temperatures.
- High-temperature superconductivity in cuprates challenges conventional Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) theory.
- Observations suggest some high-temperature superconductors may arise from Bose-Einstein condensation of real-space pairs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the theoretical possibility of a superconducting charged Bose liquid.
- To propose that such a liquid could exist in a true liquid state at ambient pressure.
- To outline an experimental scenario for observing high-temperature superconductivity in a liquid state.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical argumentation for the existence of a superconducting charged Bose liquid.
- Proposal of fluid metal-ammonia solutions as a potential experimental system.
- Identification of target temperatures for liquid (230 K) and vitreous (160 K) superconductors.
Main Results:
- A theoretical framework suggesting a superconducting charged Bose liquid is feasible.
- An experimental pathway using metal-ammonia solutions to potentially realize this state.
- Predicted superconducting transition temperatures for liquid and vitreous states.
Conclusions:
- A superconducting charged Bose liquid represents a novel state of condensed matter.
- This state may be achievable in liquid form at ambient pressure, distinct from conventional solid superconductors.
- The proposed experimental setup offers a promising avenue for discovering and studying liquid high-temperature superconductors.
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