English

Why only hole conductors can be superconductors

Superconductivity 2017-03-30 v1

Abstract

The conventional theory of superconductivity says that charge carriers in a metal that becomes superconducting can be either electrons or holes. I argue that this is incorrect. In order to satisfy conservation of mechanical momentum and of entropy of the universe in the superconductor to normal transition in the presence of a magnetic field it is necessary that the normal state charge carriers are holes. I will also review the empirical evidence in favor of the hypothesis that all superconductors are hole superconductors, and discuss the implications of this for the search for higher TcT_c superconductors.

Cite

@article{arxiv.1703.09777,
  title  = {Why only hole conductors can be superconductors},
  author = {J. E. Hirsch},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1703.09777},
  year   = {2017}
}
R2 v1 2026-06-22T18:59:58.905Z