Cooper pairs

Definition

Cooper pairs are pairs of electrons that move together through a lattice in a superconductor without resistance. They form at very low temperatures, enabling the phenomenon of superconductivity.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Cooper pairs are responsible for zero electrical resistance in superconductors.
2. The formation of Cooper pairs occurs due to an attractive interaction mediated by lattice vibrations (phonons).
3. Electrons in Cooper pairs have opposite spins and momenta, making them bosonic.
4. The condensation of Cooper pairs into a single quantum state is described by the BCS theory.
5. Breaking of Cooper pairs can occur if the temperature rises above the critical temperature.

Review Questions

• What causes electrons to form Cooper pairs in a superconductor?
• How do Cooper pairs contribute to zero electrical resistance?
• Explain what happens to Cooper pairs when the temperature exceeds the critical temperature.

Related terms

Superconductivity:

A phenomenon where a material exhibits zero electrical resistance below a certain critical temperature.

BCS Theory:

A microscopic theory that describes superconductivity as resulting from electron pairing mediated by phonons, leading to the formation of Cooper pairs.

Critical Temperature: $T_c$, the temperature below which a material becomes superconducting and above which it loses its superconducting properties.