Consilience of High-Tc Theories

TL;DR

Recent experimental advances in high-temperature superconductors have led to the elimination of some theories and the emergence of a unified understanding involving several promising models.

Contribution

The paper synthesizes experimental results to identify common features among leading theories, advancing towards a unified microscopic understanding of cuprate superconductors.

Findings

Some theories have been ruled out by experiments

Multiple promising theories share common features

A unified picture of cuprates is emerging

Abstract

Improvements both in the quality and in the variety of experiments on high-temperature superconductors have yielded new insights into the microscopic origins of pairing. A number of competing theories have already been ruled out. Some of the more promising descriptions -- gauge theories, coupled-chains, nesting instabilities, nodal liquids, and stripes -- share features in common. A unified picture of the cuprates is beginning to emerge.