How many Ampere in a superconducting spire?

[jumpjack]

As far as I can understand, after inducing a current inside a superconducting ring or spire, the current keeps flowing into the ring "for ever". Is this correct?

Since electrons have no "friction" against the superconducting lattice, does this mean that I can virtually accelerate them "indefinitely", thus inducing an "indefinitely" high current?

I mean, if current is caused by electric force applied to electrons, and resistance is due to electrons friction against lattice, maybe they accelerate indefinitely as long as I apply the force?

"for ever" and "indefinitely" of cours refer to ideal conditions; so what does it actually happen in real world? How much a current can I induce into a superconducting ring?

 

[f95toli]

The "model" you are using to describe what is happening in a superconductor is not quite correct.

However, the answer to the actual question is: it depends
The critical current density Jc of a real superconductor depends on many different factors: the type of superconductor (aluminium is very different from say YBCO), the temperature (lower T gives higher Jc), the structure of the material (mainly the amount and type of grain boundaries), the frequency (superconductors are only lossless at DC), the magnetic field etc.

Hence, the answer can be anything from say 100 A/cm^2 to 10^8 A/cm^2.

(note the units: a cable with cross-sectional area of 1 cm^2 and a a Jc of 100 A/cm^2 can carry 100 A of current)

 

[jumpjack]

But how much voltage would I need to induce 100 A, being I=V/R law no more valid?
Can I apply multiple low-voltage pulses to get an high current, considering that current wouldn't stop flowing between a pulse and the other? Or do I need a constant high voltage?

 

[Dale]

0 volts. You cannot apply a voltage across a superconductor.

 

[f95toli]

Dalespam is of course correct.
You can not "inject voltage" in a superconducting ring, you need a current source (or a voltage source with a suitable resitor in series).

 

[jumpjack]

apart from the method, which is the max current achievable and which is the electrons speed?

 

[ZapperZ]

apart from the method, which is the max current achievable and which is the electrons speed?

Electron speed is a strange concept here. The cooper pairs have long-range coherence, which is the definition of superconductivity.

Maximum current depends on the superconductor. Look up "superconducting critical current density".

Zz.

 

[f95toli]

apart from the method, which is the max current?QUOTE]

I gave you that answer above, I'd say about 10^8 A/cm^2 (Ca doped YBCO at temperatures below 4K). However, I don't think anyone has ever achived that in a large scale structure.

 

[jumpjack]

Electron speed is a strange concept here. The cooper pairs have long-range coherence, which is the definition of superconductivity.

But this is like talking about lightspeed in a conductor, although electrons move at a few cm/sec in a conductor.

Apart from the EM propagation into a SC, I wonder if electrons in SC do behave more like "small balls" than like waves, having no obstacles to their movements around.

 

[jumpjack]

I found a similar thread, maybe they should be merged?
https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=336926&page=2

Does anybody know where to buy superconductors in europe?

 

[ZapperZ]

But this is like talking about lightspeed in a conductor, although electrons move at a few cm/sec in a conductor.

Apart from the EM propagation into a SC, I wonder if electrons in SC do behave more like "small balls" than like waves, having no obstacles to their movements around.

I strongly suggest you learn a bit more about superconductivity before making such silly speculation.

Furthermore, you should also look up the average speed of electrons in a regular conductor. Do not confuse that with the drift velocity!

Zz.

 

[jumpjack]

I strongly suggest you learn a bit more about superconductivity before making such silly speculation.

Furthermore, you should also look up the average speed of electrons in a regular conductor. Do not confuse that with the drift velocity!

Zz.

any link? I'm not comfortable with English physics jargon.