Project description
Catching the elusive pairs behind superconductivity
Superconductors can conduct electricity without resistance. This is a phenomenon that could transform energy grids, transport, and computing. However, even after decades of study, scientists still do not fully understand how electrons pair up to make it happen, especially in high-temperature and topological superconductors. The key lies in observing these fleeting electron pairs directly. The ERC-funded COPS project is poised to overcome the knowledge gap. By pioneering Cooper-pair spectroscopy, a technique that ejects both electrons of a pair with a single photon, researchers aim to capture the fundamental building blocks of superconductivity in action. This breakthrough could finally reveal how these pairs form, survive, and drive the strange, resistance-free world of these materials.
Objective
High temperature superconductivity and other unconventional types of superconductivity, such as topological superconductivity, are central topics in contemporary physics. At the heart of superconductivity lie the pairs of electrons, Cooper pairs, that are formed and condense into a superfluid state below a critical temperature Tc. An outstanding problem is the mechanism that underlies the electron-pairing in unconventional superconductors. Here this problem is addressed by developing a new experimental technique, based on the simultaneous photoemission of both electrons in a Cooper pair by a single photon. Cooper-pair spectroscopy was theorized 20 years ago but has so far never been achieved experimentally. Through numerical simulations it is shown, in this proposal, that using the latest advances in light source technology and electron detection techniques together with software filtering based on the unique properties of Cooper pairs, Cooper-pair spectroscopy can become a reality. Cooper-pair spectroscopy would allow for the direct detection of the building blocks of superconductivity and would thus unequivocally demonstrate the presence of such pairs even in the absence of phase coherence, which is necessary for hall mark effects such as zero resistance or the Meissner effect. Cooper-pair spectroscopy will thus be able to confirm or rule out the existence of preformed pairs above Tc in high-temperature superconductors or in the so called pseudogap phase. Cooper-pair spectroscopy will also permit the measurement of the momentum of Cooper pairs thus allowing for the test of various theories for the superconducting and pseudogap phases of unconventional superconductors. Furthermore, Cooper-pair spectroscopy will allow for the characterization of topological superconductivity as well as the phase transition between topological and non-topological superconducting states. In short, Cooper-pair spectroscopy will open a new window into the world of superconductivity.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences computer and information sciences software
- natural sciences physical sciences electromagnetism and electronics superconductivity
- natural sciences physical sciences theoretical physics particle physics photons
- natural sciences physical sciences optics spectroscopy
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2024-ADG
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
100 44 STOCKHOLM
Sweden
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.