Superconductivity From Confinement of Singlets in Metal Oxides

TL;DR

This paper proposes a novel mechanism for superconductivity in metal oxides based on confinement of singlet pairs via an electron-phonon interaction described by Yang-Mills theory, differing from conventional BCS theory.

Contribution

It introduces a Yang-Mills based framework for electron-phonon interactions leading to a new superconductivity mechanism in strongly anharmonic crystals.

Findings

Suggests a many-body paired electron-hole ground state similar to cuprates.

Proposes confinement of singlets as the origin of superconductivity.

Differs from traditional quasiparticle-based pairing mechanisms.

Abstract

The Yang-Mills description of phonons and the consequent structure of electron liquids in strongly anharmonic crystals such as metal oxides is shown to yield an attractive electron-phonon interaction, and thus an instability towards the formation of bound states, which can condense to form a superconductor. This mechanism differs significantly from the pairing mechanism of conventional superconductivity: the ground state from which superconductivity emerges is a many-body state of paired electrons and holes which is not amenable to a quasiparticle description, and whose properties are similar to those seen in the Cuprate high temperature superconductors. Confinement arises because the electron liquid structure acts as a source for Yang-Mills bosons, and not the traditional longitudinal density waves of BCS pairing.