Inducing a crossover

Abstract

Superconductivity\nIn conventional superconductors, the electron pairs responsible for superconductivity are large and overlapping. Starting from this so-called Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) limit, increasing interactions can set the system on a path of crossover to the opposite limit of small, tightly bound electron pairs that undergo Bose-Einstein condensation (BEC). Nakagawa et al. intercalated lithium ions into the insulating material zirconium nitride chloride, varying the carrier density across a large range (see the Perspective by Randeria). This induced superconductivity and enabled the system to enter the crossover regime between the BCS and BEC limits.\n\nScience , this issue p. [190][1]; see also p. [132][2]\n\n [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.abb9860\n [2]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.abg1752