Duality in Perspective

Electric and magnetic fields are related by a property known as duality symmetry. Likewise, in superconductors, the electron pairs that give rise to electric current without resistance are related to objects known as vortices by a dual symmetry. In his Perspective, Girvin discusses results reported by Shahar et al . ( p. 589 ) that show evidence for this dual symmetry in superconducting films. The experimental demonstration of this symmetry provides fundamental insights at the critical point where an insulator switches to a superconductor.