FYSS5410 Superconductivity (9 cr)

• phenomenology of superconductivity

• type I and II superconductors

• the London equations, vortex

• BCS theory in second quatization

• Cooper pairing, superconducting ground state and excitations

• quasiparticle tunneling

• interaction with ultrasound and EM field

• Meissner effect based on BCS theory

• Ginzburg-Landau theory

• Josephson effect

• Modern applications of superconductivity 

At the end of this course, students will be able to

• describe the main the main electrodynamic phenomenology of superconductivity and the difference between type I and type II superconductivity (London equations and the concept of a vortex)

• understand the principles of BCS theory using second quantization formalism

• describe the origin for the formation of Cooper pairing, the ground state and excitations

• tell how BCS theory explains quasiparticle tunneling in tunnel junctions

• describe how BCS explains ultrasonic attenuation, EM absorption and Meissner effect

• know the basics of Ginzburg-Landau theory and the Josephson effect

• get a wide picture of the modern applications of superconductivity for detectors, electronics, and large scale devices

• write a short description of one topic in applied superconductivity

• give a seminar talk on one topic in applied superconductivity

• solve problems related to the main topics of superconductivity 

• material produced by other students

• lecture notes