The design of high-Tc superconductors – Room-temperature superconductivity?

This year is the centennial of the discovery of superconductivity and the 25th anniversary of the discovery of high-Tc superconductors (HTS). Though we still do not fully understand how HTS work, the basic rules of design can be determined from studying their systematics. We know what to do to increase Tc and, more importantly, what to do to increase critical current density Jc. This in turn lays down a challenge for the chemist. Can the ideal design be synthesized? More importantly, what are the limits? Can one make a room-temperature superconductor? In fact fluctuations place strict constraints on this objective and provide important guidelines for the design of the ideal superconductor.

► Correlations that assist in the design of high-Tc superconductors are presented. ► These potentially enable design for room-temperature superconductivity. ► Tc is substantially reduced below its mean-field value Tcmf due to fluctuations. ► Fluctuations probably prohibit room-temperature superconductivity. ► The infinite-layer compound is probably the most promising for higher Tc values.