The disappearing momentum of the supercurrent in the superconductor to normal phase transformation

TL;DR

This paper investigates the fate of supercurrents' kinetic energy and momentum during the transition from superconducting to normal phase, proposing that hole carriers are essential for superconductivity, challenging conventional theory.

Contribution

It introduces the idea that hole carriers are a necessary condition for superconductivity, which is not included in traditional BCS-London theory.

Findings

Supercurrents' energy and momentum vanish during the phase transition.

Hole carriers are essential for superconductivity.

The transition involves redistribution of kinetic energy and momentum.

Abstract

A superconductor in a magnetic field has surface currents that prevent the magnetic field from penetrating its interior. These currents carry kinetic energy and mechanical momentum. When the temperature is raised and the system becomes normal the currents disappear. Where do the kinetic energy and mechanical momentum of the currents go, and how? Here we propose that the answer to this question reveals a key necessary condition for materials to be superconductors, that is not part of conventional BCS-London theory: superconducting materials need to have hole carriers.