Course manual 2018/2019
Course content
- Basic properties of superconductors, zero resistance, Meissner effect, perfect diamagnetism, London equations, penetration depth and coherence length, Type I and Type II superconductors.
- The Ginzburg-Landau model, extension to inhomogeneous superconductors and magnetic field, gauge symmetry, flux quantization, Abrikosov flux lattice.
- Electron-phonon interaction, the Cooper problem, the BCS wave function, mean field Hamiltonian, BCS energy gap and quasiparticle states.
- Unconventional superconductivity, even and odd parity superconductivity, group symmetry classification of superconductors.
- Ac- and dc Josephson effects, applications in a magnetic field, SQUID.
- Applications of superconductivity: magnets, energy transport, energy storage, levitation.
- Superconducting compounds and hot topics in the field of superconductivity.
Study materials
Literature
- James F. Annett, 'Superconductivity, Superfluids and Condensates', Oxford Master Series in Condensed Matter Physics, Oxford University Press, 2004. ISBN 978-0-19-850756-7.
- Werner Buckel and Reinhold Kleiner, 'Superconductivity: Fundamentals and Applications', 2nd, Revised and Enlarged Edition, Wiley, New York, 2004. ISBN 987-3-527-40349-3.
Objectives
To learn and understand the basic properties of superconductors and the fundamental concepts of superconductivity. To get acquainted with superconducting compounds and the applications of superconductivity. After the course students will be able to:
- Comprehend and apply basic concepts of superconductors and to derive and apply the London equations.
- Apply the Ginzburg-Landau equations to the superconducting phase transition and to extend these to inhomogeneous superconductors and in magnetic field.
- Formulate, understand and apply the basic concepts of the microscopic theory of superconductivity: the BCS theory.
- Understand and apply the concepts of unconventional superconductivity.
- Derive and apply the Josephson equations and their extension to a magnetic field in simple and more complicated situations, such as SQUID operation.
- Identify novel and classical superconductors, and understand and communicate the applications of superconductivity.
Teaching methods
- Lecture
- Presentation/symposium
- Self-study
- Homework
Lectures, hand-in assignments.
Learning activities
Activity | Number of hours |
Hoorcollege | 56 |
Tentamen | 3 |
Zelfstudie | 109 |
Attendance
Requirements concerning attendance (OER-B).
In addition to, or instead of, classes in the form of lectures, the elements of the master’s examination programme often include a practical component as defined in article 1.2 of part A. The course catalogue contains information on the types of classes in each part of the programme. Attendance during practical components is mandatory.
Assessment
Fraud and plagiarism
The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl
Course structure
| Weeknummer | Onderwerpen | Studiestof |
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The schedule for this course is published on DataNose.
Coordinator