The two-band theory of superconductivity turns 50

TL;DR

This paper commemorates the 50th anniversary of the two-band theory of superconductivity, revisiting foundational papers and reflecting on historical scientific context and developments in the field.

Contribution

It provides a historical overview and commentary on the original two-band theory papers, highlighting their significance and evolution over 50 years.

Findings

Historical perspective on two-band superconductivity

Relevance of classical papers in modern context

Reflections on scientific life in the Soviet Union

Abstract

The publication of a revised edition of a monograph devoted to the two-band theory of superconductivity provides us the opportunity of a short comment on two classical papers, published independently some 50 years ago, where the generalization of the BCS theory for metals with overlapping energy bands at the Fermi level has been proposed. The article includes Moskalenko's recollections on some aspects of scientific life in the Soviet Union, in the '50s.