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Isotope Effect and Pairing Mechanism
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What is the isotope effect in superconductivity?
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A
The critical temperature of a superconductor depends on the mass of its constituent isotopes.
💡 Explanation:
The isotope effect in superconductivity is the dependence of the critical temperature (Tc) of a superconductor on the mass of its constituent isotopes. The heavier the isotope, the lower the Tc. This effect is explained by the BCS theory of superconductivity, which states that superconductivity is due to the formation of Cooper pairs of electrons. The mass of the isotopes affects the energy of the Cooper pairs, which in turn affects the Tc.