Can Magnetism Alter Quantum Phase in Superconductors?

[sniffer]

in deriving quantization of flux in superconductor ring, the momentum of cooper pair p:
p=\hbar\nabla\theta=e^*(\Lambda J_s + A)
then integrate around the ring,
\hbar\oint\nabla\theta dl=e^*\oint(\Lambda J_s + A)dl
using stoke's theorem and integrate sufficiently deep in the ring where current density is very small, the RHS becomes
RHS=e^*\Phi_s
and the left hand side,becomes hn where n is integer.
So the quantized flux is
\Phi_s=nh/e^*
e star is the effective cooper pair charge which is -2e.

i got confused here,why the left hand side integral becomes hn?

The argument used by the book (Van Duzer, superconductivity page 116) is that because theta is unique or differ by a multiple of 2 Pi at each point, so the integral
\oint\nabla\theta dl=2\pi n
why?? where does n come from? theta is a scalar function of r.
please help.

thanks.

 

[Gokul43201]

\theta is the phase of the order parameter \psi = |\psi|e^{i \theta}. Since \psi must be single valued at some specific angular position \phi + 2k \pi on the ring, we need, \psi(\phi ) = \psi(\phi + 2m \pi ), or we need e^{i \theta ( \phi )} = e^{i \theta ( \phi + 2m \pi)}, for all m. For the phase factor to remain unchanged over integral number of traversals of the loop, the phase \theta must itself change by only an integer multiple of 2 \pi (since e^{2in \pi} = 1).

So
\theta ( \phi + 2m \pi ) = \theta ( \phi) + 2n \pi.

In other words
\hbar\oint\nabla\theta dl = \hbar \Delta\theta = \hbar (\theta ( \phi + 2 \pi ) - \theta ( \phi)) = 2 \pi n \hbar = nh

 

[Creator]

Good answer, Gokul.

In your opinion, from an experimental point of view, what would be a simple method to effect a change in the phase of the wavefunction of the supercurrent while remaining below T(c)?

Creator

 

[sniffer]

change the radius of the ring.

 

[ZapperZ]

Good answer, Gokul.

In your opinion, from an experimental point of view, what would be a simple method to effect a change in the phase of the wavefunction of the supercurrent while remaining below T(c)?

Creator

Have a magnetic flux through the loop. That, after all, is how a SQUID works.

Zz.

 

[Creator]

change the radius of the ring.

True, in theory; but by what method are you going to change the length of a brittle superconducting wire while it is in the superconducting state?

 

[Creator]

Have a magnetic flux through the loop. That, after all, is how a SQUID works.

Zz.

Of course; externally applying B thru the loop. I should be more specific. I guess I am referring to a non-electromagnetic method of altering the quantum phase.

Creator