What are the properties of a superconductor?

Superconductors exhibit zero electrical resistance and perfect diamagnetism at low temperatures.

Superconductors are materials that can conduct electricity with zero resistance when cooled below a certain temperature, known as the critical temperature or Tc. This phenomenon is known as superconductivity. Superconductors also exhibit perfect diamagnetism, meaning they repel magnetic fields completely.

The critical temperature varies depending on the material, but it is typically very low, often below -200°C. However, recent advances in materials science have led to the discovery of high-temperature superconductors, which have critical temperatures above -100°C.

Superconductors are used in a variety of applications, including MRI machines, particle accelerators, and power transmission. However, the need for extremely low temperatures makes them difficult and expensive to use on a large scale.

Superconductivity is explained by the BCS theory, which describes how electrons can pair up and move through the material without resistance. This pairing is caused by the interaction of electrons with lattice vibrations, known as phonons.

In addition to their practical applications, superconductors are also of great interest to physicists as they provide a unique window into the quantum world. They are also being studied for their potential use in quantum computing, which could revolutionize the field of computing.