Discover
/
Article

John Bardeen and the Theory of Superconductivity

APR 01, 1992
Bardeen’s knowledge of the experimental data hod bounded the theory of superconductivity quite tightly before B, C ond S developed their theory.
J. Robert Schrieffer

When one speaks with John Bardeen’s friends about him, one frequently hears words such as brilliant, quiet, persistent, generous, visionary, athletic, kind, thoughtful and remarkable. It is my good fortune to have the chance to recount some incidents from his life that are connected with the theory of superconductivity. This article draws on my personal memories; his many other friends and colleagues will set down their own recollections elsewhere.

This article is only available in PDF format

References

  1. 1. J. Bardeen, Phys. Rev. 79, 167 (1950); https://doi.org/PHRVAO
    J. Bardeen, 80, 567 (1950);
    J. Bardeen, 81, 829 (1951).

  2. 2. H. Fröhlich, Phys. Rev. 79, 845 (1950).https://doi.org/PHRVAO

  3. 3. T. D. Lee, F. Low, D. Pines, Phys. Rev. 90, 297 (1953). https://doi.org/PHRVAO
    T. D. Lee, D. Pines, Phys. Rev. 92, 883 (1953).https://doi.org/PHRVAO

  4. 4. J. Bardeen, in Handbuch der Physik, vol. 15, S. Flugge, ed., Springer‐Verlag, Berlin (1956), p. 274. B. Serin, ibid., p. 210.

  5. 5. A. B. Pippard, Proc. R. Soc. London, Ser. A 216, 547 (1953).

  6. 6. M. R. Schafroth, Helv. Phys. Acta 24, 645 (1951).https://doi.org/HPACAK

  7. 7. F. London, Superfluids, vol. 1, Wiley, New York (1954).

  8. 8. L. N. Cooper, Phys. Rev. 104, 1189 (1956).https://doi.org/PHRVAO

  9. 9. S. Tomonaga, Prog. Theor. Phys. (Kyoto) 2, 6 (1947).https://doi.org/PTPKAV

  10. 10. R. E. Glover, M. Tinkham, Phys. Rev. 104, 844 (1956). https://doi.org/PHRVAO
    M. Tinkham, Phys. Rev. 104, 845 (1956).https://doi.org/PHRVAO

  11. 11. L. C. Hebel, C. P. Slichter, Phys. Rev. 107, 901 (1957); https://doi.org/PHRVAO
    L. C. Hebel, C. P. Slichter, 113, 1504 (1959).

  12. 12. J. Bardeen, L. N. Cooper, J. R. Schrieffer, Phys. Rev. 106, 162 (1957).

  13. 13. J. Bardeen, L. N. Cooper, J. R. Schrieffer, Phys. Rev. 108, 1175 (1957).https://doi.org/PHRVAO

  14. 14. P. W. Anderson, Phys. Rev. 110, 827 (1958); https://doi.org/PHRVAO
    P. W. Anderson, 112, 1900 (1958).
    G. Rickayzen, Phys. Rev. 115, 765 (1959).
    Y. Nambu, Phys. Rev. 117, 648 (1960).https://doi.org/PHRVAO

  15. 15. J. Bardeen, Nuovo Cimento 5, 1766 (1957).https://doi.org/NUCIAD

  16. 16. L. P. Gor’kov, Zh. Eksp. Teor. Fiz. 36, 1918 (1959)
    [L. P. Gor’kov, Sov. Phys. JETP 9, 1364 (1959)].https://doi.org/ZETFA7

  17. 17. I. Giaever, Phys. Rev. Lett. 5, 147 (1960).https://doi.org/PRLTAO

  18. 18. B. D. Josephson, Phys. Rev. Lett. 1, 251 (1962).https://doi.org/PRLTAO

  19. 19. G. M. Eliashberg, Zh. Eksp. Teor. Fiz. 38, 966 (1960)
    [G. M. Eliashberg, Sov. Phys. JETP 11, 696 (1960)]. https://doi.org/ZETFA7

  20. 20. J. G. Bednorz, K. A. Müller, Z. Phys. B 64, 189 (1986).https://doi.org/ZPCMDN

More about the Authors

J. Robert Schrieffer. Florida State University, Tallahassee.

Related content
/
Article
Figuring out how to communicate with the public can be overwhelming. Here’s some advice for getting started.
/
Article
Amid growing investment in planetary-scale climate intervention strategies that alter sunlight reflection, global communities deserve inclusive and accountable oversight of research.
/
Article
Although motivated by the fundamental exploration of the weirdness of the quantum world, the prizewinning experiments have led to a promising branch of quantum computing technology.
/
Article
As conventional lithium-ion battery technology approaches its theoretical limits, researchers are studying alternative architectures with solid electrolytes.
This Content Appeared In
pt-cover_1992_04.jpeg

Volume 45, Number 4

Get PT in your inbox

pt_newsletter_card_blue.png
PT The Week in Physics

A collection of PT's content from the previous week delivered every Monday.

pt_newsletter_card_darkblue.png
PT New Issue Alert

Be notified about the new issue with links to highlights and the full TOC.

pt_newsletter_card_pink.png
PT Webinars & White Papers

The latest webinars, white papers and other informational resources.

By signing up you agree to allow AIP to send you email newsletters. You further agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.