Correlation of the superconducting transition temperature with an empirical pseudopotential determined from atomic spectra

We have observed a correlation between the superconducting transition temperature and the energy of the first excited electronic configuration of the atom as determined from the optical spectra. This has led to the formulation of an empirical pseudopotential using atomic spectral data. Using this pseudopotential we have shown it to be the dominant factor in accounting for the cohesive energy, melting temperature, Debye temperature, thermal expansion coefficient, and superconducting transition temperature. © 1970 The American Physical Society.