Einstein and the early theory of superconductivity, 1919 -- 1922

DOI10.1007/S00407-006-0122-8zbMATH Open1117.01018arXivphysics/0612159OpenAlexW2017839990MaRDI QIDQ876563FDOQ876563

Authors: Tilman Sauer 

Publication date: 19 April 2007

Published in: Archive for History of Exact Sciences (Search for Journal in Brave)

Abstract: Einstein's early thoughts about superconductivity are discussed as a case study of how theoretical physics reacts to experimental findings that are incompatible with established theoretical notions. One such notion that is discussed is the model of electric conductivity implied by Drude's electron theory of metals, and the derivation of the Wiedemann-Franz law within this framework. After summarizing the experimental knowledge on superconductivity around 1920, the topic is then discussed both on a phenomenological level in terms of implications of Maxwell's equations for the case of infinite conductivity, and on a microscopic level in terms of suggested models for superconductive charge transport. Analyzing Einstein's manuscripts and correspondence as well as his own 1922 paper on the subject, it is shown that Einstein had a sustained interest in superconductivity and was well informed about the phenomenon. It is argued that his appointment as special professor in Leiden in 1920 was motivated to a considerable extent by his perception as a leading theoretician of quantum theory and condensed matter physics and the hope that he would contribute to the theoretical direction of the experiments done at Kamerlingh Onnes' cryogenic laboratory. Einstein tried to lived up to these expectations by proposing at least three experiments on the phenomenon, one of which was carried out twice in Leiden. Compared to other theoretical proposals at the time, the prominent role of quantum concepts was characteristic of Einstein's understanding of the phenomenon. The paper concludes with comments on Einstein's epistemological reflections on the problem.

Full work available at URL: https://arxiv.org/abs/physics/0612159

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Mathematics Subject Classification ID

Biographies, obituaries, personalia, bibliographies (01A70)

Cites Work

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Cited In (4)

• Einstein's quantum theory of the monatomic ideal gas: non-statistical arguments for a new statistics
• Fritz London and the scale of quantum mechanisms
• Failed theories of superconductivity
• The heuristic role of mathematics in the initial development of superconductivity theory

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