What Does the Order Parameter in BCS Theory Represent?

[tom1985]

Hi guys,

What exactly is an order parameter? What does the order parameter in BCS Theory represent? I can't find anything on this anywhere.

Thanks in advance

Tom

 

[ZapperZ]

The order parameter in superconductivity came from the Ginsburg-Landau equation. It started out as being the phenomenological "wavefunction" for the superconducting fluid. So it precedes the BCS theory. In BCS theory, it evolves into the pair wavefunction.

Textbooks such as Tinkham's classic text has a brief intro to GL theory and the order parameter.

Zz.