1. An electron moves through the lattice, the negative charge of the electron attracts the positive metal ions of the lattice.
2. This creates a region of net positive charge, attracting a second electron.
3. These two electrons have formed a weak attraction between the electrons even through their charges make them naturally repel.
--> These two electrons are said to be a Cooper pair.
--> For Cooper pairs to form and remain intact, the binding energy between two electrons must be higher than the energy of lattice vibrations.
--> As lattice vibrations increase with temperature, below a certain temperature, the binding energy of a Cooper pair will be greater than energy of lattice vibrations allowing them to stay intact.
4. It is said that the first electron emitted a phonon and the second electron absorbed a phonon.
5. If a Cooper pair can be formed, the two electrons can move through the lattice unimpeded where lattice distortions assist the current flow rather than opposing current flow.
Always include diagrams in these responses.