Difference between Superconductivity & Ballistic Conduction

In summary: It is useful in some sensors, as well as in superconductors.In summary, Ballistic conduction and superconductivity are both types of electron transport that are not affected by collisions and scatterings. However, they differ in their mechanisms and effects. Ballistic conduction occurs when the mean free path of the electron is longer than the dimension of the medium, resulting in no collisions and dissipation of energy during conduction. In contrast, superconductivity is a quantum mechanical effect where electrons form a coherent state and cooperate to flow without resistance. One key difference is that a ballistic conductor would stop conducting when the driving force is turned off, while a superconductor would continue to flow. Additionally, the charge carriers in ballistic transport are electrons
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NewtonApple
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I read in a book "Optoelectronic Integration: Physics, Technology and Applications" edited by Osamu Wada.

Ballistic Conduction and Superconductivity are both electron transport that are not affected by the collisions and scatterings.

Ballistic conduction or Ballistic transport occurs when the mean free path of the electron is (much) longer than the dimension of the medium through which the electron travels. Hence there is no chance of electrons collisions. No energy dissipated during conduction.

Superconductivity is the result of a quantum mechanical effect that avoids the collision and scattering. In the superconductive state, all the mobile electrons cooperate together to form a coherent state (Cooper pair) as whole. If the coherent state is sufficiently lower in energy than the usual normal state, it is hardly destroyed by the collisions or scatterings.


Difference


Although both are electron transport that are not affected by the collisions and scatterings but ballistic conduction differs from superconductivity due to the absence of the Meissner effect in the material. A ballistic conductor would stop conducting if the driving force is turned off, whereas in a superconductor current would continue to flow after the driving supply is disconnected.

And another difference I can think is charge carriers in Ballistic transport are electrons which act as Fermions.
In Superconductor charge carrier are Cooper pair and it behave as Bosons.

Can anyone elaborate the difference between the two?
 
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NewtonApple said:
Ballistic conduction or Ballistic transport occurs when the mean free path of the electron is (much) longer than the dimension of the medium through which the electron travels. Hence there is no chance of electrons collisions. No energy dissipated during conduction.
There is still a chance, and the chance increases if you increase the length of the material - exactly as resistance increases in regular conductors. Very thin sheets of material have a low resistance, that is not superconductivity but simple scaling of resistances.
 
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1. What is superconductivity?

Superconductivity is a phenomenon in which certain materials exhibit zero electrical resistance when cooled below a critical temperature. This means that electricity can flow through these materials without any loss of energy, making them extremely efficient conductors.

2. What is ballistic conduction?

Ballistic conduction is a type of electrical conduction in which electrons travel through a material without scattering or colliding with other particles. This occurs in very small structures, such as nanowires, where the distance between obstacles is larger than the electron's mean free path.

3. How are superconductivity and ballistic conduction different?

The main difference between superconductivity and ballistic conduction is the cause of zero electrical resistance. In superconductors, it is due to the formation of Cooper pairs, while in ballistic conduction, it is due to the absence of collisions between electrons. Additionally, superconductivity occurs at much lower temperatures compared to ballistic conduction.

4. What are the applications of superconductivity and ballistic conduction?

Superconductivity has numerous applications, including in MRI machines, particle accelerators, and power transmission lines. Ballistic conduction, on the other hand, is still being researched, but it has the potential to be used in quantum computing and high-speed electronics.

5. Can superconductivity and ballistic conduction occur simultaneously?

Yes, it is possible for superconductivity and ballistic conduction to coexist in certain materials. This is known as ballistic superconductivity and has been observed in materials such as carbon nanotubes and graphene. However, it is still an area of ongoing research.

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