Superconductor momentum conservation

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the momentum conservation in superconductors, specifically regarding a closed square loop of superconducting wire carrying current. It is established that while momentum is conserved, energy is not transferred to the metal lattice when electrons accelerate around corners, maintaining a steady current. The only limitation on current flow is the current density of the superconducting wire, which is influenced by factors such as frequency, skin effect, proximity effect, and external magnetic fields. This understanding clarifies the conditions under which superconductivity can be sustained without resistance.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of superconductivity principles
  • Knowledge of Cooper pairs and their role in superconductors
  • Familiarity with current density and its implications in superconducting materials
  • Awareness of skin effect and proximity effect in electrical conductors
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the properties of Cooper pairs in superconductors
  • Explore the effects of skin effect and proximity effect on current density
  • Study the relationship between external magnetic fields and superconductivity
  • Investigate the temperature dependence of superconducting materials
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, electrical engineers, and materials scientists interested in the behavior of superconductors and their applications in advanced technologies.

Danyon
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I often hear that a superconductor can hold a current indefinitely, I have a thought experiment which relates to this claim. Consider a closed square loop of superconducting wire, this wire carries some current. Will the electrons in the circuit transfer momentum and energy to the metal lattice when the electrons accelerate around the corners of the square circuit? If yes, then the current will actually slowly dissipate, if no then you could accelerate the electrons in the wire, giving a recoil force, and the electrons would travel all around the wire without transferring momentum where they can be accelerated again. This would be a momentum conservation violating thruster...So is current or momentum conserved?
 
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Danyon said:
Will the electrons in the circuit transfer momentum and energy to the metal lattice when the electrons accelerate around the corners of the square circuit?
Momentum yes, energy no (at least not once the coil reached an equilibrium position).
Momentum is conserved, you get should a tiny bit of tension in the wires balancing the momentum transfer of the cooper pairs.
 
Danyon said:
I often hear that a superconductor can hold a current indefinitely

Does that mean the only limitation then will be current density of wire which has become supper conductor. I mean if current is less than its current density then it will feel no resistance and if current is more than its current density then some kind of resistance (friction) will come in practice?
Here I refer to current density as a relative term which depends upon frequency of operation due to skin effect and proximity effect.
 
Last edited:
Current density, external magnetic field and temperature form a region of superconductivity in the "corner" of low values for those three parameters.
 

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