RQMP (CPM) Seminar

High-Pressure Hydrides and Electron-phonon Superconductivity:
questions about the Experiments and questions about the Theory

Frank Marsiglio

Departement of Physics
University of Alberta

Room-temperature superconductivity was reported in October, 2020, after 5 years of discovery of superconducting hydrides in the 200 - 250 K range. This talk will first critically review the experimental evidence for superconductivity. At the time of this writing, there are big resistivity drops, but no compelling measurements of the Meissner effect. We also provide a basic review of our current understanding of the electron-phonon interaction in relation to superconductivity. We revisit the age-old question (once thought settled) of whether or not the electron-phonon interaction can produce high-temperature superconductivity.