Orbital Approach to High Temperature Superconductivity

High temperature superconductivity in cuprates is explained in terms of 3d-orbital capture in copper. In elemental Cu 3d-orbital capture abstracts an electron from the 4 s2 valence orbital, and leaves it as 4 s1. This is known since Cu occurs in Group IB of the Periodic Table. This forms an electron vacancy, or hole, in the valence shell. Therefore, the energy of 3d-orbital capture is stronger than the energy of unpairing of a paired-spin 4 s2 orbital. In cuprates 3d-orbital capture abstracts an electron from a Cu-O covalent bond, and leaves a hole in the excited state orbital. By electron-hole migration the excited state orbital leads to a coordinate covalent bond. This leads to superconductivity. The 3d-orbital process accounts for superconductivity and insulator behavior in cuprates. These results lend credence to the statement that 3d-orbital capture in copper is the cause of high temperature superconductivity.

Antimicrobial Properties of Copper and d-Orbital Capture

The purpose of this note is to stimulate interest in measuring and characterizing the emitted ultraviolet frequencies in antimicrobial copper materials. Antimicrobial sanitizing materials are urgently needed to limit the spread of COVID-19 virus. In the current pandemic, ultraviolet radiation is often used for sterilization. It is shown that 3 d-orbital capture in copper can result in radiation generated by copper materials. Since ultraviolet radiation is known to be effective in antimicrobial sterilization, it is logical to assume that the radiation formed by copper occurs in the ultraviolet region. Electron transitions in 3 d-orbital capture are expected to occur in this region. A description of the 3 d-orbital capture process, and the origin of the associated frequency, is given. It is shown that for Group 1B elements the strength of electron affinity in the d-orbital capture process increases with increasing Periodic Table period number, n. This is the opposite of other electron affinity properties for atoms that decrease wth an increase in n. A brief discussion of the relationship of d-orbital capture to the chemical inertness of gold is given. The same type of d-orbital capture process that occurs in antimicrobial copper occurs in high temperature superconducting cuprates.