Superconductivity is explained by symmetry breaking from "summary" of The Quantum Theory of Fields by Steven Weinberg,Weinberg S
The phenomenon of superconductivity, where certain materials conduct electricity without any resistance, can be understood through the concept of symmetry breaking. In normal conductors, electrical resistance arises due to the scattering of electrons by impurities or lattice vibrations. However, in superconductors, there is a remarkable absence of resistance, allowing for the flow of electric current without any dissipation of energy. The key to understanding this behavior lies in the idea of symmetry breaking. In a superconductor, the symmetry of the system is spontaneously broken at low temperatures, leading to the emergence of a new state of matter with unique properties. This symmetry breaking is associated with the formation of Cooper pairs, which are pairs of electrons that are bound together at very low temperatures. The formation of Cooper pairs can be thought of as a condensation process, where the electrons "condense" into a collective state with lower energy. This condensation is a result of th...
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