Fermi Energy in Superconductors

Fermi energy in superconductors refers to the highest energy level that electrons occupy at absolute zero temperature. It represents the energy threshold of the "sea" of electrons in a material. In superconductors, electrons pair up into so-called Cooper pairs near this energy level. These pairs move through the material without resistance, enabling superconductivity. The Fermi energy essentially sets the stage for the electronic properties of the superconductor, influencing how electrons interact and form these pairs. Understanding the Fermi energy helps scientists grasp how superconductivity emerges from the behavior of electrons in a material.