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
The ability to communicate a key message clearly and concisely to a nonspecialized audience is a critical skill to develop at all educational levels.
/
Article
With strong magnetic fields and intense lasers or pulsed electric currents, physicists can reconstruct the conditions inside astrophysical objects and create nuclear-fusion reactors.
/
Article
A crude device for quantification shows how diverse aspects of distantly related organisms reflect the interplay of the same underlying physical factors.
/
Article
Events held around the world have recognized the past, present, and future of quantum science and technology.
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.