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1 results

  • 9 - Superconductors

  • from Part II - Applications
  • Antoni Planes, University of Barcelona, Avadh Saxena, Los Alamos National Laboratory
  • Book:
    Phase Transitions
    Published online:
    01 May 2025
    Print publication:
    15 May 2025, pp 300-331

  • Summary

    Superconductivity is a quantum state of matter that occurs through a phase transition driven by thermal fluctuations. In this state, materials show ideal electric conductivity and ideal diamagnetism to a very good approximation. Two main classes of superconductors, type I and type II, can be distinguished with regards to flux penetration under an applied magnetic field. The properties of these two types are first discussed in detail. Next, the Ginzburg–Landau theory is developed and it is shown that in the presence of a magnetic field, when the ratio of penetration and coherence lengths is smaller than 1⁄√2 the superconductor behaves as type I, while it behaves as type II when this ratio is larger than 1⁄√2. In this second case, the flux penetrates through vortices that form a hexagonal lattice. Finally, in the last part, the microscopic BCS theory is discussed in order to provide an understanding of the physical origin of superconductivity.