Remarks on the first hundred years of superconductivity

TL;DR

This paper reviews the history of superconductivity, highlighting key discoveries, the development of BCS theory, and the ongoing challenges in understanding unconventional superconductors across various fields.

Contribution

It provides a historical overview and discusses the evolution of superconductivity theories, emphasizing the limitations of BCS in explaining new unconventional superconductors.

Findings

BCS theory successfully explained early superconductors

Discovery of new superconductors challenges BCS applicability

Superconductivity research continues to evolve across disciplines

Abstract

On the occasion of centenary of superconductivity discovery I recall some facts from the first period and attempts to understand the phenomenon. It turns out that most famous physicists of the first half of XX century have tried to solve the puzzle. Bardeen, Cooper and Schrieffer succeeded in 1957. The BCS theory successfully described all known facts and offered new predictions, which soon have been confirmed experimentally contributing to the widespread acceptance of the theory. It have found applications in nuclear physics, theory of neutron stars and cold atomic gases. The discoveries of new superconductors in the last thirty years show that simple BCS model is not enough to understand new unconventional superconductors. The studies of superconductors develop vividly and still fascinate new generations of physicists working in such diverse fields as material science and string theory.