Electron Tunnel

The concept of electron tunnels is the key to understanding superconductivity and expediting the process of finding or engineering room-temperature superconductors. An electron tunnel refers to the network of electron paths between molecules in a conductor where electrons can flow along the paths at the same energy level, resulting in currents. An electron, with an energy level below the electron tunnel, remains confined within its orbital[1] inside the individual molecule and cannot produce any current. To create currents in a conductor, electrons must be at a sufficient energy level to move through the electron tunnel.[2] So, the space in a conductor is divided into two types of regions: a network of electron tunnels and isolated cells around individual molecules, much like the spaces between cement and pebbles in a piece of concrete. An electron tunnel does not always appear in all materials. It is necessary for conductors, but absent in insulators. A superconductor[3] is a special conductor with valence orbitals intersecting the electron tunnel. Therefore, the valence electrons move naturally in the electron tunnel without needing energy to elevate them to the electron tunnel. It is essential to note that the term "conduction band" refers to a distinct concept defined in band theory.[4] The term electron tunnel was introduced in the "Unified Theory of Low and High-Temperature Superconductivity."[2] It establishes a unified theoretical framework for low- and high-temperature superconductivity[5] and provides a cohesive approach to understanding the differences among insulators, conductors, and superconductors. Insulating, conducting, and superconducting can be different electrical states of the same matter. Transitions between these states are typically associated with the electron tunnel's response to changes in pressure and temperature conditions. Furthermore, the concept of the electron tunnel provides a comprehensive explanation for various phenomena observed in superconductivity. It offers practical guidelines for the search and development of superconductors operating under standard Earth conditions.