Superconductors and moving/accelerating charges

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the behavior of electrons in superconductors, particularly regarding their movement and acceleration, the implications of the Meissner effect, and the nature of charge carriers in superconductors, specifically Cooper pairs. The scope includes theoretical concepts and clarifications related to superconductivity.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions how electrons can be made to move within a superconductor and whether the Meissner effect occurs with already moving charges.
  • The same participant inquires about the possibility of accelerating charges in a superconductor and the potential effects on the superconducting state.
  • Another participant argues that classical notions of "charges" are misleading, emphasizing that charge carriers are Cooper pairs, which do not follow classical trajectories.
  • A later reply reiterates that Cooper pairs do not have classical trajectories and highlights the complexities of quantum mechanics in this context.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of charge carriers in superconductors, with some emphasizing classical concepts and others advocating for a quantum mechanical perspective. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the implications of accelerating charges within superconductors.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the limitations of classical descriptions in understanding superconductivity and the behavior of Cooper pairs, indicating a dependence on quantum mechanical principles that may not be fully explored in the discussion.

sol47739
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TL;DR
I have some questions about the charges within the superconductor and how they is set in motion and whether or not the charges within a superconductor can accelerate, and if not why not? Because I suppose that would mean applied force and destruction of the superconducting state. But if yes why? And does that acceleration emit photons? I assume no because the superconductor is a condensate(collective ground state, and the ground state can't emit photons).
How do one get the electrons to move inside a superconductor? Since I have understood superconductors repel magnetic fields due to the Meissner effect, or is that when the charges already are moving within the superconductor? If so how did we get them o move from the beginning?

Can you make charges accelerate within a superconductor? If yes how? Or will the applied force to make the charges accelerate destroy the superconducting state of the system? And if they can accelerate will they then emit photons, as normal accelerating charges?

If you know some good literature for these topics, please attach it, I would appreciate it!
 
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Classical "charges" is the wrong way to thinking about it, The charge carriers are Cooper pairs, which are fundamentally non-classical objects. Discussing classical trajectories will hinder rather than help understanding.
 
Vanadium 50 said:
Classical "charges" is the wrong way to thinking about it, The charge carriers are Cooper pairs, which are fundamentally non-classical objects. Discussing classical trajectories will hinder rather than help understanding.
Thanks for clarifying! From a perspective of Cooper pairs how would you answer my questions?
 
The same way - they don't have classical trajectories either. (And you can't easily say "that electron over there makes a Cooper pair with this electron right here". QM isn't like that)
 

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