Abstract
Attempts to explain correlated-electron superconductivity (SC) have largely focused on the proximity of the superconducting state to antiferromagnetism. Yet, there exist many correlated-electron systems that exhibit insulator-superconducting transitions where the insulating state exhibits spatial broken symmetry different from antiferromagnetism. Here, we focus on a subset of such compounds which are seemingly very different in which specific chemical stoichiometries play a distinct role, and small deviations from stoichiometry can destroy SC. These superconducting materials share a unique carrier concentration, at which we show there is a stronger than usual tendency to form local spin-singlets. We posit that SC is a consequence of these pseudomolecules becoming mobile as was suggested by Schafroth a few years prior to the advent of the Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) theory.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1053-1059 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | International Journal of Quantum Chemistry |
Volume | 114 |
Issue number | 16 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Aug 15 2014 |
Keywords
- correlated-electron superconductivity
- insulator-superconductor transition
- organic superconductivity
- unconventional superconductivity
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Physical and Theoretical Chemistry