Conventional superconductor
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Conventional superconductors are materials that display superconductivity as described by BCS theory or its extensions.(c.f. Unconventional superconductor)
Critical temperatures of some simple metals:
| Element | Tc (K) |
|---|---|
| Al | 1.20 |
| Hg | 4.15 |
| Mo | 0.92 |
| Nb | 9.26 |
| Pb | 7.19 |
| Ta | 4.48 |
| Ti | 0.39 |
| V | 5.30 |
| Zn | 0.88 |
Niobium and vanadium are type-II superconductors, while most other superconducting elements are type-I materials. Almost all compound and alloy superconductors are type-II materials.
The most commonly used conventional superconductor in applications is a niobium-titanium alloy - this is a type-II superconductor with a Tc of 11 K. The highest critical temperature so far achieved in a conventional superconductor was 39 K (-234 °C) in magnesium diboride.