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From: leon gunther [mailto:l gunther tufts edu]
PROPOSAL for Fall 2012 semester course:
INTRODUCTION TO SUPERCONDUCTIVITY
I would like to offer an introductory course on SUPERCONDUCTIVITY next fall, 2012. Whether I will do so or not will depend upon the number of students who would take the course. The course is intended for students who have studied
Statistical Mechanics. I am asking you to let me know as soon as possible whether or not you feel that you would be
likely to take the course were it offered. Leon Gunther x75361
FYI: Superconductivity is one of the most fascinating physical phenomena in condensed matter physics. The rich complexions of superconductor microstructures are models of numerous structures in cosmology, such as cosmic strings.
The microscopic theory of superconductivity is one of the most beautiful achievements in the theory of condensed matter physics, thanks to the ‘cooperation of nature’, which makes it so. In addition, superconductivity has ramifications in numerous
technical applications, such as Josephson junctions that might one day be used to store a
qubit for a quantum computer, powerful and huge superconductor magnets used in medical MRIs, and ultra-sensitive magnetometers such as the SQUID.
Probable Syllabus:
1. Brief description of the phenomenon
2. Thermodynamics of superconductivity
3. London two-fluid model and London Equations
4. Landau Theory of Phase Transitions, with the addition of a spatially varying order parameter
5. Ginzburg-Landau Theory (use of magnetic vector potential is essential)
w/applications to
a) TYPE-II superconductivity b) vortices and the vortex lattice
c) flux quantization
d) surface superconductivity
e) the proximity effect 6. Critical currents in wires
7. Josephson effect, Josephson junctions (JJs), SQUIDS
8. Quantum Tunneling in JJs 9. Microscopic Theory of Superconductivity
Leon Gunther Professor of Physics Tufts University Medord, MA 02155 office: 617-627-5361 fax: 617-627-3878 Robinson Hall 357 |