An Overview of the Basic Physical Properties of MgB$_2$

TL;DR

This paper reviews the fundamental physical properties of MgB$_2$, summarizing recent consensus on key parameters like isotope shift, critical fields, and anisotropies, to facilitate future detailed studies.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of the established physical parameters of MgB$_2$, consolidating recent research findings.

Findings

Consensus on isotope shift and critical fields

Determined key length scales and anisotropies

Sets stage for detailed future research

Abstract

The basic physical properties of MgB$_2$ have been well established over the past two years of intensive research. At this point there is a general consensus about the values for the isotope shift, critical fields, most of the salient length scales, and general anisotropies. In this paper we will review the determination of these parameters and set the stage for further, more detailed discussions of specific aspects of the physics of MgB$_2$.