Current carrying property of Type-II superconductors

GL parameter Κ = λ/ξ
Φo = h/2e
Κ = λ/ξ < 1/(2)1/2 type-I
> 1/(2)1/2 type-II

Positive surface energy

Negative surface energy

Type-II superconductors
 Abrikosov Lattice:
Lattice of flux lines (or vortices) (Flux line
lattice : FLL)

Lattice parameter a = 1.072(φo/B)1/2

 Current through type-II superconductor

→ J

Fp = Average pinning
force density
n = No. of vortices per unit area If FL < Fp, Vortices will not
B = nφo move
Lorentz force per unit volume Non-dissipative current
FL = J x nφo FL > Fp, Vortices will move
L Flux flow regime.
Critical regime: FL = Fp

Fp = JcB
Flux flow: Flux line lattice move when J > Jc.
Dissipation is nearly ohmic.
Flux creep: If current is slightly lower than Jc and
Temperature is sufficiently high (< Tc),thermal
fluctuations permit the flux lines to move. This
is the flux creep regime.
TAFF: Thermally assisted flux flow. This appears in HTSC
for J « Jc.
Hysteresis: If J < Jc and the superconductor is in a
metastable state. This results in the hysteresis of the
magnetization (irreversibility in magnetization curve).

Structural defects (point defects,

grain boundaries, dislocations
etc.) and impurities in the sample
act as pinning centres leading to
hysteresis in magnetization or
irreversibility in magnetization.
The amplitude of Hysteresis is
directly related to the Jc. Thus Jc
can be estimated from magnetic
measurements.
Bean model: Jc = (30) ΔM/d , d is sample thickness or
grain size in case of polycrystalline samples.
 Applications of Superconductors
Superconductors: Zero Resistance, Perfect diamagnet

Large scale and high current applications:

Nb-Ti (Tc ~ 9 K), Nb3Sn (Tc ~ 18 K)
Superconducting tapes/wires:
High field magnets: High energy physics (particle
accelerators),MRI, NMR
Coils for windings in motors and generators
Magnetic levitating (MGLEV) coils for high-speed trains

Superconducting electronics:

Use of Josephson junctions: Logic gates, SQUID magnetometer

(can detect magnetic flux much smaller than φo)
Microwave Devices (Antennas, resonators), Bolometers and
fast optical detectors