scholarly journals Thermodynamic inconsistency of the conventional theory of superconductivity

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (19) ◽  
pp. 2050175
Author(s):  
J. E. Hirsch
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Alternative Theory ◽  
Type I ◽  
Conventional Theory ◽  
London Penetration Depth ◽  
Final State ◽  
Temperature Changes ◽  
Laws Of Thermodynamics ◽  
Thermodynamic Inconsistency ◽  
Theory Of Superconductivity

A type I superconductor expels a magnetic field from its interior to a surface layer of thickness [Formula: see text], the London penetration depth. [Formula: see text] is a function of temperature, becoming smaller as the temperature decreases. Here we analyze the process of cooling (or heating) a type I superconductor in a magnetic field, with the system remaining always in the superconducting state. The conventional theory predicts that Joule heat is generated in this process, the amount of which depends on the rate at which the temperature changes. Assuming the final state of the superconductor is independent of history, as the conventional theory assumes, we show that this process violates the first and second laws of thermodynamics. We conclude that the conventional theory of superconductivity is internally inconsistent. Instead, we suggest that the alternative theory of hole superconductivity may be able to resolve this problem.

scholarly journals Entropy generation and momentum transfer in the superconductor–normal and normal–superconductor phase transformations and the consistency of the conventional theory of superconductivity

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (13) ◽  
pp. 1850158 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. E. Hirsch
Keyword(s):  
Momentum Transfer ◽  
Entropy Generation ◽  
Meissner Effect ◽  
The Body ◽  
Alternative Theory ◽  
Conventional Theory ◽  
Laws Of Thermodynamics ◽  
Zero Entropy ◽  
First Order Phase ◽  
Theory Of Superconductivity

Since the discovery of the Meissner effect, the superconductor to normal (S–N) phase transition in the presence of a magnetic field is understood to be a first-order phase transformation that is reversible under ideal conditions and obeys the laws of thermodynamics. The reverse (N–S) transition is the Meissner effect. This implies in particular that the kinetic energy of the supercurrent is not dissipated as Joule heat in the process where the superconductor becomes normal and the supercurrent stops. In this paper, we analyze the entropy generation and the momentum transfer between the supercurrent and the body in the S–N transition and the N–S transition as described by the conventional theory of superconductivity. We find that it is not possible to explain the transition in a way that is consistent with the laws of thermodynamics unless the momentum transfer between the supercurrent and the body occurs with zero entropy generation, for which the conventional theory of superconductivity provides no mechanism. Instead, we point out that the alternative theory of hole superconductivity does not encounter such difficulties.

London Penetration Depthin λ(T) in Type 1.5 Superconductor by Ginzburg-Landau Approach

2013 ◽  
Vol 770 ◽  
pp. 291-294 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Niyomsilpchai ◽  
A. Changjan ◽  
Pongkaew Udomsamuthirun
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Free Energy ◽  
Penetration Depth ◽  
Band Model ◽  
Type I ◽  
London Penetration Depth ◽  
Ginzburg Landau ◽  
Type Ii Superconductor ◽  
New Type ◽  
The Magnetic Field

The London penetration depth is the distance to which a magnetic field penetrates into a superconductor and becomes equal to 0.367879 times that of the magnetic field at the surface of the superconductor. The type 1.5 superconductor is the new type of superconductor that the value of Ginzburg-Landau parameter is between the type I and type II superconductor. In this paper, the London penetration depth of type 1.5 superconductor is studied by Ginzburg-Landau approach. The system of free energy of type 1.5 superconductor is assumed by modified the free energy of two-band model and theof type 1.5 superconductor is derived analytically. Finally, the temperature dependence of London penetration depth is investigated.

scholarly journals Robust anomalous metallic states and vestiges of self-duality in two-dimensional granular In-InOx composites

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xinyang Zhang ◽  
Bar Hen ◽  
Alexander Palevski ◽  
Aharon Kapitulnik
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Metallic Phase ◽  
Broadband Noise ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Conventional Theory ◽  
Logarithmic Divergence ◽  
Self Duality ◽  
Low Field ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Low Temperature Resistance

AbstractMany experiments investigating magnetic-field tuned superconductor-insulator transition (H-SIT) often exhibit low-temperature resistance saturation, which is interpreted as an anomalous metallic phase emerging from a ‘failed superconductor’, thus challenging conventional theory. Here we study a random granular array of indium islands grown on a gateable layer of indium-oxide. By tuning the intergrain couplings, we reveal a wide range of magnetic fields where resistance saturation is observed, under conditions of careful electromagnetic filtering and within a wide range of linear response. Exposure to external broadband noise or microwave radiation is shown to strengthen the tendency of superconductivity, where at low field a global superconducting phase is restored. Increasing magnetic field unveils an ‘avoided H-SIT’ that exhibits granularity-induced logarithmic divergence of the resistance/conductance above/below that transition, pointing to possible vestiges of the original emergent duality observed in a true H-SIT. We conclude that anomalous metallic phase is intimately associated with inherent inhomogeneities, exhibiting robust behavior at attainable temperatures for strongly granular two-dimensional systems.

scholarly journals The surface impedance of superconductors and normal metals at high frequencies III. The relation between impedance and superconducting penetration depth

1947 ◽  
Vol 191 (1026) ◽  
pp. 399-415 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Penetration Depth ◽  
Surface Impedance ◽  
Simple Extension ◽  
High Frequencies ◽  
Resistivity Measurements ◽  
Direct Measurements ◽  
Normal Metals ◽  
Velocity Of Propagation ◽  
Theory Of Superconductivity

The theory developed in II is extended to cover the case of a superconductor, and a formula is derived relating the r. f. resistivity to the superconducting penetration depth and other parameters of the metal. It is shown how the penetration depth may be deduced directly from measurements of the skin reactance, and a method of measuring reactance is described, based essentially on the variation of the velocity of propagation along a transmission line due to the reactance of the conductors. For technical reasons it is not convenient to measure the reactance absolutely, but a simple extension of the technique described in I enables the change in reactance to be accurately measured when superconductivity is destroyed by a magnetic field. The method has been applied to mercury and tin. In the former case the results are in agreement with Shoenberg’s direct measurements, and confirm that the penetration depth at 0° K is of the order of 7 x 10 –6 cm. The theory developed at the beginning of the paper is used to deduce the variation of penetration depth with temperature from the resistivity measurements of I, and it is shown that agreement with other determinations and with the reactance measurements is fairly good, but not perfect. Some of the assumptions used in developing the theory are critically discussed, and a qualitative account is given to show how Heisenberg’s theory of superconductivity offers an explanation of some of the salient features of superconductivity and inparticular indicates the relation between superconducting and normal electrons.

MAGNETIC FIELD DEPENDENCE OF CRITICAL CURRENTS IN SUPERCONDUCTING POLYCRYSTALS

1992 ◽  
Vol 06 (03) ◽  
pp. 161-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.I. KUGEL ◽  
T. YU. LISOVSKAYA ◽  
R.G. MINTS
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Magnetic Field Dependence ◽  
Asymptotic Form ◽  
Critical Currents ◽  
Transport Current ◽  
Wide Field ◽  
London Penetration Depth ◽  
Field Range ◽  
Crystallographic Axes ◽  
The Magnetic Field

We study the dependence of critical current j c on magnetic field H in superconducting polycrystals which are considered as systems of superconducting crystallites (isotropic or anisotropic) with Josephson contacts between them. Isotropy or anisotropy of contacts depends on the orientation of their crystallographic axes relatively to edges of contact planes. It is shown that for a system of randomly oriented isotropic contacts, the dependence j c (H) in a relatively wide field range has the asymptotic form j c ~( ln H)/H2. This differs drastically from j c (H) for single contacts. Anisotropy effects due to large differences in London penetration depth λ values corresponding to external magnetic field directed along different axes are analyzed in detail. It is shown that for uniaxal crystals with λ1=λ2≪λ3, this anisotropy leads to the relation [Formula: see text] for chaotic orientation of crystallites. The form of j c (H) curves for two different orientations of the magnetic field relatively to the transport current through the sample is found.

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