New Frontiers in Superconductivity

Superconductivity (SC) is a quantum phenomenon characterized by the ability to carry electric current without resistance and to expel magnetic fields. The conventional Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) theory of SC, which attributes it to weak attractive interactions between low-energy fermions, was initially sufficient to explain the phenomenon. However, the discovery of high-temperature superconductors and SC in unconventional systems such as cuprates, Fe-based materials and two-dimensional van der Waals materials challenged this theory by suggesting that SC can arise from strong coupling interactions and non-Fermi liquid states, necessitating a new theoretical framework beyond the BCS paradigm.

The Simons Collaboration on New Frontiers in Superconductivity collaboration aims to understand SC in systems with strong coupling, multiple valley and orbital degrees of freedom, and quantum geometric and topological influences. By integrating advanced numerical methods such as machine learning and AI with these new theoretical insights, the collaboration seeks to predict and discover new superconducting materials with higher critical temperatures and novel properties. Achieving these goals could lead to groundbreaking advancements in technology, including energy-efficient computing and low-dissipation supercurrents, potentially revolutionizing various fields and significantly impacting society.