Superconductor question

sniffer · Sep 25, 2005

in deriving quantization of flux in superconductor ring, the momentum of cooper pair p:
[tex]p=\hbar\nabla\theta=e^*(\Lambda J_s + A)[/tex]
then integrate around the ring,
[tex]\hbar\oint\nabla\theta dl=e^*\oint(\Lambda J_s + A)dl[/tex]
using stoke's theorem and integrate sufficiently deep in the ring where current density is very small, the RHS becomes
[tex]RHS=e^*\Phi_s[/tex]
and the left hand side,becomes hn where n is integer.
So the quantized flux is
[tex]\Phi_s=nh/e^*[/tex]
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
[tex]\oint\nabla\theta dl=2\pi n[/tex]
why?? where does n come from? theta is a scalar function of r.
please help.

thanks.

Gokul43201 · Sep 25, 2005

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

So
[tex]\theta ( \phi + 2m \pi ) = \theta ( \phi) + 2n \pi [/tex].

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

Creator · Sep 26, 2005

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 · Sep 26, 2005

change the radius of the ring.

ZapperZ · Sep 27, 2005

Creator said:

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 · Sep 28, 2005

sniffer said:

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 · Sep 28, 2005

ZapperZ said:

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