High temperature superconductivity; The spin polaron theory

Abstract

Abstract An outline is given of one of the many models which have been advanced to explain high temperature superconductivity in the quasi-two-dimensional oxides. In these the compensation ensures that there are free positive holes, formed in the oxygen 2p states, which form ‘spin polarons’ by orienting neighbouring spins in Cu 3d9 ions. Two spin polarons then combine to form a spinless pair, which obeys Einstein–Bose statistics. It is shown that a degenerate gas of such entities is a superconductor. If this is a correct model, such pairs (bosons) must exist above the critical temperature (T c). Particular attention is given to the properties of these materials at temperatures above T c. An unresolved problem is whether all, or only some, of the carriers form bosons.