Are hydrides under high-pressure–high-temperature superconductors?

Abstract

ABSTRACT Contrary to the current consensus, I argue that the existing evidence for high-temperature superconductivity in hydrides under high pressure is not compelling. I suggest that the focus of the field should urgently shift to establish unequivocally experimentally whether or not superconductivity in pressurized hydrides exists, instead of continuing to search for new materials that might show elusive signals of unproven superconductivity at ever higher temperatures. The implications of a negative finding for the theoretical understanding of superconductivity are discussed.