364

Superconductivity

Table 'l 4.1 The critical temperature and critical magnetic Jield of a
nlonber
of-

superconducting elements
H0

Element
AI
Ga

f.(K)
l.l9
1.09

x l0-4Am-r Element f.(K)

Pb Sn
7. 18 3.'72 4.48 t.37 5.30 0.92

I10

x i0-adrn-l

0.8 0.4
J.J

6.5 2.5 6.7

I .3

Hga HeF
In
Nb
Superconducting
state

4.15

Ta

r.95
3.41 9 4t)

2.1
2.3 15.6

Th Zn

10.5

0.4

r..\
Fig. 14.4
The critical magnetic freld as a function of temperarure .

threshold value. Experiments with various superconductors have shown that the dependence of the critical magnetic field on temperafure is well described by the formula.

H.:

Ho

'- (;)'l

14.1)

This relationship is plotted in Fig. 14.4.

o o
AB Tr7', 11 =0
(b)

aJ

lll^\\t i// '),\ r\\\ ))))

I

\\l-rll
C

lt can be seen that the material is normal above the cunu'e and superconducting beiow the curve. I10 is defined as the rnasnetic ficld that destroys superconductivity at absolute zero temperature. The values of H6 and I. for a number of superconducting elements are qivcn in Table 1.1.1. Alloys could have both much higher criticai temperatures and much higher critical magnetic fields. They will come later. 14.2.2
The Meissner effect

T.T,
11

=\)

()<H<Hc

T.l,

o
AD T,T, H--0
Fig. 14.5

lffil
T,T,
0<H<Hc

rffi1
C

T.T,
0<H<Hc

We have seen that belou a certain temperature and magnetic field a number of materials lose their electrical resistivity completely. How would we expect these materials to behave if taken fiom point A to C in Fig. 14.4 by the paths ABC and ADC respectively? At point A there is no applied magnetic field and the temperafure is higher than the critical one [Fig. 14.5(a)]. From A to B the temperature is reduced below the critical temperature; so the material loses its resistivify, but nothing else happens. Going from B to C means switching on the magnetic field. The changing flux creates an electric held that sets up a current opposing the applied magnetic field. This is just Lenz's law, and in the
past we have referred to such currents as eddy currents. The essential difference now is the absence ofresistivity. The eddy currents do not decay; they prodgce a magnetic field that completely cancels the applied magnetic field inside the

The magnetic states of a superconductor while tracing the (a) ABC and (b) ADC paths in Fig. 14.4

material. Thus, we may regard our superconductor as a perfect diamagnet. Starting again at A with no magnetic field [Fig. 14.5(b)] and proceeding

to D puts the material into a magnetic field at a constant temperature'

Assuming that our material is non-magnetic (superconductors are in fact slightl.v paramagnetic above their critical temperature, as follows from their metallic nature), the magnetic field will penetrate. Going from D to C means reduci6s the temperafgre at constant magnetic field. The material becomes superconducting at some point, but there is no reason why this should imply any change in the magnetic field distribution. At C the magnetic field should penetrate just as ',vell