Aspects of superconductivity and fractionalization

Abstract

Since their discovery in mid 80's, a complete theory of high temperature superconductors is yet to take its final shape. Theory of fractionalization attempts to explain the phenomenon by assuming that the electron is split into two particles, chargon and spinon, carrying charge and spin respectively. Although capable of producing the qualitative features of the phase diagram, this theory is not been able to account for a number of experimental observations. A simple mean field model based on fractionalization ideas is proposed in this work which can possibly get around some of the drawbacks of the original fractionalization theory. Chapter one discusses various aspects of superconductivity along with BCS theory and chapter two talks about the motivation behind considering this model along with its basic features.