Superconductors and Gravitomagnetism

In summary, superconductors may amplify the effects of gravitomagnetism by allowing subatomic particles to move more coherently. There is still some speculation as to why and how this might occur, but it has been claimed to be observed more than once.
  • #1
adm2e
8
0
How/why does a superconductor amplify the effects of gravitomagnetism?
It must have something to do with a coherent movement of subatomic particles, right?
 
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  • #2
adm2e said:
How/why does a superconductor amplify the effects of gravitomagnetism?
It must have something to do with a coherent movement of subatomic particles, right?

Er... what "subatomic particles"?

You are asking this as if this is a verified phenomenon. It isn't. The Podkletnov effect is still unverified and not accepted as valid. How how does one answer a question asking for the mechanism of something that may not even exist?

Zz.
 
  • #3
adm2e said:
How/why does a superconductor amplify the effects of gravitomagnetism?
It must have something to do with a coherent movement of subatomic particles, right?

Are you talking about effects allegedly seen in

M. Tajmar et al. "Experimental detection of the gravimagnetic London moment"
http://www.arxiv.org/abs/gr-qc/0603033

which other group failed to reproduce:

R. D. Graham et al. "Experiment to detect frame dragging in a lead superconductor"
www.ringlaser.org.nz/papers/SuperFrameDragging2007.pdf ?

Eugene.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #4
I was thinking perhaps nuclear spin, or these Cooper pairs I've been hearing about.

I know it isn't a 'verified phenomenon', but neither are black holes and gravitational waves, although we are very confident in their existence. This aside, there would still be theories as to why and how this effect might occur. It has been claimed to have been observed more than once.


Yeah, meopemuk, pretty much, haha.
 
  • #5
adm2e said:
I know it isn't a 'verified phenomenon', but neither are black holes and gravitational waves, although we are very confident in their existence.
But that's because they are predicted by an existing mainstream theory--general relativity--which has had many other of its predictions confirmed. I don't think there are any mainstream theories which predict superconductors should affect gravitomagnetism in this way.
 
  • #6
JesseM said:
But that's because they are predicted by an existing mainstream theory--general relativity--which has had many other of its predictions confirmed. I don't think there are any mainstream theories which predict superconductors should affect gravitomagnetism in this way.

Okay, valid point. But my question remains. Say that it is possible that superconductors enhance the effects of gravitomagnetism. What are some, or your own, theories associated with this?
I don't want to debate the phenomenon's credibility.
 
  • #7
"If God existed, then what's he made up of? It must have something to do with the coherent movement of subatomic particles right?". "I don't want to debate God's credibility".

Do you see any parallels?

Asking how something works that we have no conclusive proof or reason to believe that it exists is folly.
 
  • #8
It's what physicists do.

I remember reading papers on what the universe would be like if certain physical aspects functioned differently. Completely pointless?
 
  • #9
adm2e said:
I was thinking perhaps nuclear spin, or these Cooper pairs I've been hearing about.

I know it isn't a 'verified phenomenon', but neither are black holes and gravitational waves, although we are very confident in their existence. This aside, there would still be theories as to why and how this effect might occur. It has been claimed to have been observed more than once.

Then would you like to make exact citations to the papers that have made these claims, and then see if they have been verified? If you do not do that, then these are very much empty claims.

Blackholes and gravitational waves have indirect observational existence. The phenomenon that you are claiming has NONE. One thing you need to understand about condensed matter physics, as opposed to cosmology or GR is that these experiments have tighter degree of requirements for validity, because these are experiments that we can construct very, very accurately, and can manipulate more easily. That is why the values of "e" and "h" are defined based on what is measured out of condensed matter experiments. Thus, the fact that such gravitomagnetic phenomenon hasn't been verified after all these years since the Podkletnov claim (and other similar claims) should ring plenty of warning bells in your head.

Note further that even in the Podkletnov claim they don't use any old Cooper Pairs. The "physics" being used to explain such effects were done on high-Tc superconductors using the d-wave order parameter, since the experiment was done using YBCO disks. So conventional superconductors with s-wave parameter would not work, or so they claim. This makes it even more dubious.

This thread and the nature of this question are verging on highly speculative (and even crackpottish tendency) issues. Unless you have some valid citations that you can bring up to sustain this discussion, it doesn't not pass our PF Guidelines requirement.

Zz.
 
  • #10
Can this thread please just be deleted or something? I regret starting it.

Sorry for wasting your time.
 

1. What are superconductors and how do they work?

Superconductors are materials that can conduct electricity with little to no resistance, resulting in the lossless flow of electrical current. They work by allowing electrons to move freely without any obstacles, creating a continuous flow of current.

2. What is the relationship between superconductors and gravitomagnetism?

Gravitomagnetism is a theoretical concept that suggests rotating masses create a magnetic-like field that can affect the motion of other masses. Superconductors are believed to be able to alter this field, potentially creating a "gravitomagnetic shield" that could deflect gravity waves.

3. Can superconductors be used to create anti-gravity or levitation?

While superconductors can manipulate the gravitomagnetic field, they cannot create anti-gravity or levitation on their own. However, when combined with other technologies, such as magnetic levitation, superconductors can contribute to the creation of anti-gravity effects.

4. What are the practical applications of superconductors and gravitomagnetism?

Superconductors have many practical applications, including in MRI machines, particle accelerators, and power transmission. Gravitomagnetism is still a theoretical concept, but if proven to be accurate, it could have significant implications for space travel and potentially lead to the development of advanced propulsion systems.

5. Are there any limitations or challenges to utilizing superconductors and gravitomagnetism?

Currently, one of the main limitations of superconductors is the need for extremely low temperatures to maintain their superconducting state. Additionally, the concept of gravitomagnetism is still highly theoretical, and more research is needed to fully understand its potential and limitations.

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