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PH30079: Superconductivity

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2015/6
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Physics
Further information on credits Credits: 3
Further information on unit levels Level: Honours (FHEQ level 6)
Further information on teaching periods Period: Semester 2
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Summary: CW 20%, EX 80%
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Detail:
  • Coursework (CW 20%)
  • Examination (EX 80%)
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment: Mandatory extra work (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites: Before taking this module 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 )
Further information on descriptions 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.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

PH30079 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Mathematical Sciences Department of Physics
  • USXX-AFB03 : BSc(Hons) Mathematics and Physics (Year 3)
  • USXX-AAB04 : BSc(Hons) Mathematics and Physics with Study year abroad (Year 4)
  • USXX-AKB04 : BSc(Hons) Mathematics and Physics with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • USXX-AFM01 : MSci(Hons) Mathematics and Physics (Year 3)
  • USXX-AAM01 : MSci(Hons) Mathematics and Physics with Study year abroad (Year 4)
  • USXX-AKM01 : MSci(Hons) Mathematics and Physics with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • USPH-AFB01 : BSc(Hons) Physics (Year 3)
  • USPH-AAB02 : BSc(Hons) Physics with Study year abroad (Year 4)
  • USPH-AKB02 : BSc(Hons) Physics with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • USPH-AFB09 : BSc Physics (Year 3)
  • USPH-AFM02 : MPhys(Hons) Physics (Year 3)
  • USPH-AKM04 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Professional and Research Placements (Year 4)
  • USPH-AKM03 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Professional Placement (Year 4)
  • USPH-AFM04 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Research placement (Year 3)
  • USPH-AFB05 : BSc(Hons) Physics with Computing (Year 3)
  • USPH-AAB06 : BSc(Hons) Physics with Computing with Study year abroad (Year 4)
  • USPH-AKB06 : BSc(Hons) Physics with Computing with Year long work placement (Year 4)

Notes:
* This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2015/16 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2016/17 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2015/16.
* 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.