Metallic hydrogen: a theoretical room temperature superconductor

Synopsis

Since the prediction of metallic hydrogen in 1936, tremendous efforts have been put into confirming this phase of hydrogen because it holds the promise to be a room temperature superconductor by numerous DFT calculations. This metallic phase of hydrogen is predicted to exist under a tremendous pressure of ~400GPa which is greater than that found at the core of the earth. Recently, a group from Harvard University has claimed for its discovery with a pressure of 495GPa. In this talk, I will provide an overview to the concept of metallic hydrogen, their experiment and results and controversies associated with the experiment.