A unified theory of superconductivity

TL;DR

This paper challenges the traditional phonon-mediated BCS theory of superconductivity, proposing a new unified real-space Coulomb confinement-based theory that explains various phenomena in both conventional and unconventional superconductors.

Contribution

It introduces a novel theory based on Coulomb confinement effects, providing a unified explanation for multiple superconducting phenomena and phases.

Findings

BCS theory is fundamentally incorrect.

Proposes pairing and superconducting glues based on Coulomb effects.

Explains coexistence of vortex lattice and superconductivity in MgB2.

Abstract

In this paper, we study the reliability of BCS theory as a scientific explanation of the mystery of superconductivity. It is shown clearly that the phonon-mediated BCS theory is fundamentally incorrect. Two kinds of glues, pairing (pseudogap) glue and superconducting glue, are suggested based on a real space Coulomb confinement effect. The scenarios provide a unified explanation of the pairing symmetry, pseudogap and superconducting states, charge stripe order, spin density wave (SDW), checkerboard-type charge-ordered phase, magic doping fractions and vortex structures in conventional and unconventional (the high-Tc cuprates and MgB2) superconductors. The theory agrees with the existence of a pseudogap in high-temperature superconductors, while no pseudogap feature could be observed in MgB2 and most of the conventional superconductors. Our results indicate that the superconducting phase can coexist with a inclined hexagonal vortex lattice in pure MgB2 single crystal with a charge carrier density ps=1.49*10^{22}/cm^{3}. Finally, the physical reasons why the good conductors (for example, Ag, Au, and Cu) and the overdoped high-Tc superconductors are non-superconducting are also explored.