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The BCS Theory of
Superconductivity: |
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"The phenomenon of
superconductivity was discovered by the Dutch physicist Kamerling Onnes
in 1911. Already his first measurements indicated that one had found a
fundamentally new state of matter... Many remarkable properties were
discovered in the following decades. However, the central problem, the
question about the underlying mechanism for superconductivity, remained
a mystery up to the late 50's... A significant step forward was
taken around 1950 when it was found theoretically and experimentally
that the mechanism for superconductivity had to do with the coupling of
electrons to the vibrations of the crystal lattice. Starting from this
mechanism, Bardeen, Cooper and Schrieffer developed in 1957 a theory of
superconductivity, which gave a complete theoretical explanation of the
phenomenon. [The BCS Theory] was indeed very successful in explaining in considerable detail the properties of superconductors. The theory also predicted new effects and it stimulated an intensive activity in theoretical and experimental research, which opened up new areas for research. One may as examples mention the use of the quantum mechanical tunnel phenomena to study superconductors, the discovery of magnetic flux quantization and the remarkable Josephson effects. These more recent developments are intimately connected with the fundamental theory of superconductivity and have confirmed in a striking way the validity of the theoretical concepts and ideas developed by Bardeen, Cooper and Schrieffer." -from the Press Release for the 1972 Nobel Prize in Physics, awarded to Bardeen, Cooper, and Schrieffer "for their jointly developed theory of superconductivity, usually called the BCS-theory". |
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BARDEEN, J., L. N. COOPER & J. R.
SCHRIEFFER.
Theory of Superconductivity, In The Physical Review, Second
Series, Vol. 108, No. 5, p.1175-1204. Lancaster, PA, 1957. The
complete issue in original blue printed wrappers. WITH: The Physical
Review, Second Series, Vol. 104, No. 4 and Vol. 106, No.1, both in
original wrappers. Custom half-leather box. $5000.
First printing in original wrappers of arguably the most important paper in the field of superconductivity. The key ideas of the theory were announced in two short letters in two separate issues of The Physical Review before the full developed theory was published in December, 1957. The issues with the original letters are also included in the original wrappers, making this a scarce complete set of the full published account of one of the defining moments in modern physics. In exceptional condition with only very light wear to wrappers. Provenance: from the library of the Danish physicist Christian Møller (the author of "The Theory of Relativity"), with his name written in hand on the front wrapper. Images of other two issues (please click image to enlarge):
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