Physics of Superconducting Transition Temperatures

TL;DR

This paper discusses the complex physics of superconducting transition temperatures (Tc), emphasizing the limitations of simple models and highlighting qualitative insights into what influences Tc in various materials.

Contribution

It provides a qualitative analysis of the physics governing Tc, offering insights despite the challenges of modeling it with simple paradigms or effective theories.

Findings

Tc depends on microscopic material details

Qualitative lessons can inform understanding of Tc

Simple models offer limited but valuable insights

Abstract

This paper was written in honor of my friend Ted Geballe's 100th birthday. It concerns the physics of the superconducting Tc. Tc is a dimensional quantity, and so depends on microscopic details of a material making it a strange quantity to consider from the perspective of simple paradigmatic models or effective field theories. Still, there are certain qualitative lessons that can be learned even from such approaches which may give some insight into the physics of Tc - and where to look for it. Given my friend's relentless interest in this subject, this seems to be a good place to discuss these issues.