The learner will acquire information on: applications of superconductivity, the main experimental methods employed on superconductors, the basics of the main theoretical models. He/she will be able to identify the specific features of superconductivity that are exploited in superconductor-based systems and devices.
teacher profile teaching materials
Zero resistance, persistent currents. Persistent Current Switch. Meissner effect.
Type-II and type-II superconductors. Critical fields. Fluxoid quantization. London equations.
2 Superconducting materials.
Elements. Alloys and binary compounds. Cuprates. Other superconductors.
3 Basics of the microscopic theory.
Cooper pairs, BCS coherence length, BCS fundamental state. Quasiparticles. Effects of nonzero temperature. Experimental evidences: isotopic effect, gap in the electromagnetic absorption. Depairing current.
4 Josephson effect.
Feynmann derivation. RCSJ model. dc Josephson effect. Shapiro steps. Voltage standard. SQUID; effect of a magnetic field, critical current and quantum interference. Weak screening. Applications.
5 Transport.
Two-fluid model. ac conductivity. Surface impedance. Applications: delay lines; filters; accelerating cavities.
6 Thermodynamics of the superconducting state.
Gibbs free energy. Condensation energy. Ginzburg-Landau theory. Characteristic lengths. Surface energy: type-II superconductivity.
7 Type-II superconductivity..
Fluxons or vortices. Abrikosov lattice. Lower and upper critical fields. Fluxon motion. Pinning. Irreversibility. Bean model. Flux-flow, flux-creep, TAFF.
8 Further topics.
Anisotropic superconductors. Magnetic levitation. Power applications, cables, magnets for the nuclear fusion plants.
9 Laboratory, demonstrations
Website: http://www.sea.uniroma3.it/eldem/
[BK]
W. Buckel, R. Kleiner, "Superconductivity - Fundamentals and Applications", Wiley
[EH]
C. Enss, S. Hunklinger, "Low-Temperature Physics", Springer
[FS]
K. Fossheim, A. Sudbø, "Superconductivity - Physics and applications", John Wiley and Sons, Ltd.
[IW]
Iwasa, "Case Studies in Superconducting Magnets", 2nd Edition, Springer
[OD]
T.P. Orlando, K.A. Delin, "Foundations of Applied Superconductivity", Addison Wesley
si vedano anche le slide del corso "Applied Superconductivity" del MIT (Open CourseWare)
[OPe]
F. J. Owens, Ch. P. Poole, Jr., "Electromagnetic Absorption in the Copper Oxide Superconductors", Springer
Programme
1 Introduction to Superconductivity.Zero resistance, persistent currents. Persistent Current Switch. Meissner effect.
Type-II and type-II superconductors. Critical fields. Fluxoid quantization. London equations.
2 Superconducting materials.
Elements. Alloys and binary compounds. Cuprates. Other superconductors.
3 Basics of the microscopic theory.
Cooper pairs, BCS coherence length, BCS fundamental state. Quasiparticles. Effects of nonzero temperature. Experimental evidences: isotopic effect, gap in the electromagnetic absorption. Depairing current.
4 Josephson effect.
Feynmann derivation. RCSJ model. dc Josephson effect. Shapiro steps. Voltage standard. SQUID; effect of a magnetic field, critical current and quantum interference. Weak screening. Applications.
5 Transport.
Two-fluid model. ac conductivity. Surface impedance. Applications: delay lines; filters; accelerating cavities.
6 Thermodynamics of the superconducting state.
Gibbs free energy. Condensation energy. Ginzburg-Landau theory. Characteristic lengths. Surface energy: type-II superconductivity.
7 Type-II superconductivity..
Fluxons or vortices. Abrikosov lattice. Lower and upper critical fields. Fluxon motion. Pinning. Irreversibility. Bean model. Flux-flow, flux-creep, TAFF.
8 Further topics.
Anisotropic superconductors. Magnetic levitation. Power applications, cables, magnets for the nuclear fusion plants.
9 Laboratory, demonstrations
Core Documentation
List of the textbooks used. A detailed list of chapters and paragraphs is on the website. Additional material (slides, short texts) can be found on the website.Website: http://www.sea.uniroma3.it/eldem/
[BK]
W. Buckel, R. Kleiner, "Superconductivity - Fundamentals and Applications", Wiley
[EH]
C. Enss, S. Hunklinger, "Low-Temperature Physics", Springer
[FS]
K. Fossheim, A. Sudbø, "Superconductivity - Physics and applications", John Wiley and Sons, Ltd.
[IW]
Iwasa, "Case Studies in Superconducting Magnets", 2nd Edition, Springer
[OD]
T.P. Orlando, K.A. Delin, "Foundations of Applied Superconductivity", Addison Wesley
si vedano anche le slide del corso "Applied Superconductivity" del MIT (Open CourseWare)
[OPe]
F. J. Owens, Ch. P. Poole, Jr., "Electromagnetic Absorption in the Copper Oxide Superconductors", Springer
Type of delivery of the course
Lectures. Talks of invited researchers. Demonstrations in the laboratory. Excursion to research centres (when possible)Type of evaluation
Homeworks. Final interview. The interview (oral exam) is essential in the determination of the final marks. --> During the COVID-19 emergency the exams will be held according to article 1, the Rectoral Decree n°. 703, may 5th 2020