Model for an exciton mechanism of superconductivity in planar geometry

"The possibility of an exciton mechanism of superconductivity in planar geometry is investigated in this thesis. Upon specialization to the case of the single interface between a thin, crystalline metal film in intimate contact with a clean semiconductor substrate, a model is developed in which the metal electrons with energies near the Fermi surface penetrate a short distance into the semiconductor. There they scatter by producing and absorbing virtual electron-hole pairs. The effect of such semiconductor polarization processes (i.e., the exciton mechanism) on the electron-electron interaction is estimated by two separate means and is found to lead to an attractive interaction for favorable choices of semiconductor and metal materials. A brief look at attempts to derive these results in terms of the microscopic dielectric function is also given~ A calculation of what superconducting transition temperatures one could expect to see due to this effect follows, both for the case of the exciton mechanism acting alone; and for the case of the exciton mechanism combined with the usual phononmechanism~· It is"" concluded that although the exciton mechanism has not yet been established experimentally, the theory has a sound physical basis and indicates that the effect of the exciton mechanism ought to be observable in"" favorable samples with sufficient effort. The immediate need is to fabricate such systems and establish the existence of the exciton mechanism of superconductivity."

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Physics

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2012

Author dc:creator

• Allender, David William

Contributors dc:contributor

• Bardeen, John

• exciton mechanism
• superconductivity
• planar geometry

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 1975 David W. Allender

Language dc:language

en

Identifier

2168096

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/30731