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PH30079: Superconductivity

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2012/3
Follow this link for further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Physics
Follow this link for further information on credits Credits: 3
Follow this link for further information on unit levels Level: Honours (FHEQ level 6)
Follow this link for further information on period slots Period: Semester 2
Follow this link for further information on unit assessment Assessment: CW 20%, EX 80%
Follow this link for further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment: Mandatory extra work (where allowed by programme regulations)
Follow this link for further information on unit rules Requisites: Before taking this unit you must (take PH10006 or take PH10051) and (take PH20013 or take PH20060) and (take PH20017 or take PH20063) and (take PH20029 or take PH20067)
Follow this link for further information on unit content Description: Aims:
The aim of this unit is to explain the basic properties of superconductivity, and illustrate contemporary applications of related phenomena.

Learning Outcomes:
After taking this unit the student should be able to:
* describe the basic properties of superconductors;
* apply fundamental knowledge of superconductors to applications of superconductivity in technology and the research laboratory;
* make quantitative estimates of the parameters that govern superconductivity.

Skills:
Numeracy T/F A, Problem Solving T/F A.

Content:
Basic phenomenology; critical temperature, zero resistance, critical magnetic field, Meissner effect, penetration depth, coherence length. Two fluid model. Ginsburg-Landau theory. Microscopic theory; Cooper pairs, electron phonon interaction, isotope effect, BCS model and the energy gap. Type I and type II superconductors, vortex states and critical currents. Applications of type II materials. Tunnelling in superconductors; the Josephson effect, SQUIDS. High Tc superconductivity. Other non-conventional superconductors.
Follow this link for further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

PH30079 is Optional on the following programmes:

Programmes in Natural Sciences
  • UXXX-AFB01 : BSc (hons) Natural Sciences (Full-time) - Year 3
  • UXXX-AKB02 : BSc (hons) Natural Sciences with Industrial Placement (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4
  • UXXX-AAB02 : BSc (hons) Natural Sciences with Study Year Abroad (Full-time with Study Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • UXXX-AFM01 : MSci (hons) Natural Sciences (Full-time) - Year 3
  • UXXX-AKM02 : MSci (hons) Natural Sciences with Professional Placement (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4
  • UXXX-AAM02 : MSci (hons) Natural Sciences with Study Year Abroad (Full-time with Study Year Abroad) - Year 4
Department of Mathematical Sciences
  • TSMA-AFM08 : MSc Modern Applications of Mathematics (Full-time) - Year 1
  • TSMA-AFL02 : PG Dip Modern Applications of Mathematics (Full-time) - Year 1
Department of Physics
  • USXX-AFB03 : BSc (hons) Mathematics and Physics (Full-time) - Year 3
  • USXX-AKB04 : BSc (hons) Mathematics and Physics with Placement (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4
  • USXX-AAB04 : BSc (hons) Mathematics and Physics with Study Year Abroad (Full-time with Study Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • USPH-AFB01 : BSc (hons) Physics (Full-time) - Year 3
  • USPH-AFB05 : BSc (hons) Physics with Computing (Full-time) - Year 3
  • USPH-AKB06 : BSc (hons) Physics with Computing (with Placement) (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4
  • USPH-AAB06 : BSc (hons) Physics with Computing with Year Abroad (Full-time with Study Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • USPH-AKB02 : BSc (hons) Physics (with Placement) (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4
  • USPH-AAB02 : BSc (hons) Physics with Year Abroad (Full-time with Study Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • USPH-AFB09 : BSc Physics (Full-time) - Year 3
  • USPH-AKB09 : BSc Physics (with Placement) (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4
  • USPH-AFM02 : MPhys Physics (Full-time) - Year 3
  • USPH-AFM04 : MPhys Physics with Research Placement (Full-time) - Year 3
  • USXX-AFM01 : MSci (hons) Mathematics and Physics (Full-time) - Year 3

Notes:
* This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2012/13 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2013/14 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2012/13.
* Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.
* Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.