Cooper pairing
Quick Summary
In physics, a Cooper pair is a pair of electrons in a superconductor that are attractively bound and have equal and opposite momentum and spin. This concept is central to the BCS theory, developed by John Bardeen, Leon N. Cooper, and John R. Schrieffer.
The BCS theory explains that in superconductors, electrons, which normally repel each other, are attracted and form these Cooper pairs. The motion of all Cooper pairs within a superconductor is correlated, allowing them to move as a single entity. When a voltage is applied, all Cooper pairs move, creating an electric current that can continue indefinitely without resistance. As the superconductor warms, the Cooper pairs separate, and the material loses its superconducting properties. The theory also explains the isotope effect in superconductivity.123
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