Comments on theories of high temperature superconductivity

The recently discovered MgB2 superconductors have a record transition temperature for a BCS superconductor due to the high vibration frequencies associated with its light elements. The transition temperatures in the cuprate family of superconductors are much higher but these do not fit the BCS paradigm. The most promising microscopic origin for their many anomalous properties lies in magnetic pairing described by the RVB (Resonant Valence Bond) ansatz. However a comprehensive theoretical description of the key anomalous properties of the cuprates remains to be an open challenge.