Electron-hole asymmetry and superconductivity

TL;DR

This paper discusses how electron-hole asymmetry is fundamental to superconductivity, highlighting that superconductors can distinguish between electrons and holes, unlike in the normal state.

Contribution

It emphasizes the importance of electron-hole asymmetry in superconductivity, supporting the theory of hole superconductivity.

Findings

Superconductors can distinguish between electrons and holes.

Electron-hole asymmetry is fundamental to the mechanism of superconductivity.

Normal state experiments cannot determine carrier charge type unambiguously.

Abstract

In a solid, transport of electricity can occur via electrons or via holes. In the normal state no experiment can determine unambiguously whether the elementary mobile carriers have positive or negative charge. This is no longer true in the superconducting state: superconductors know the difference between electrons and holes. This indicates that electron-hole asymmetry plays a fundamental role in superconductivity, as proposed by the theory of hole superconductivity.