semisuperconductors

Semisuperconductors represent a fascinating area of condensed matter physics, bridging the gap between conventional semiconductors and superconductors. These materials exhibit properties of both. At very low temperatures, similar to superconductors, semisuperconductors can conduct electricity with zero resistance, a phenomenon known as superconductivity. However, unlike bulk superconductors, this superconducting state in semisuperconductors is often observed to emerge from a semiconducting state as temperature is reduced.

The unique behavior of semisuperconductors arises from the interplay of electron correlation and band structure. In these materials, electrons are not as free to move as in simple metals, and their interactions become crucial. This can lead to complex electronic phases, including superconductivity, even when the material's electronic band structure suggests it should be an insulator or semiconductor. Research into semisuperconductors is driven by the potential for novel electronic devices that could combine the logic capabilities of semiconductors with the energy efficiency of superconductors. Examples of materials showing semisuperconducting behavior include certain organic compounds, heavy fermion systems, and some transition metal oxides. Understanding the precise mechanisms behind semisuperconductivity is an active area of research, with ongoing efforts to discover new materials and explore their potential technological applications.