The isotope effect in superconductivity

摘要: Ever since Kamerlingh‐Onnes discovered in 1911 that the electrical resistance of mercury abruptly vanished at a temperature just few degrees above absolute zero, phenomenon superconductivity has presented an intriguing challenge to physicists. Subsequent experiments by Onnes and others definitely established resistivity superconductor, if all finite, must be immeasurably small, less than 10−20 ohm cm. Consequently superconductor is assumed have zero resistance. soon found superconducting property was not peculiar but characteristic sizable group metals. Twentyone metallic elements are known superconductors as innumerable alloys intermetallic compounds. The exhibited Fig. 1 seen fall into definite areas periodic table. None monovalent metals observed superconducting, least down temperatures order tenths degree absolute.