ELEN0047-1 : Superconductivity

Study Programmes 2016-2017

ELEN0047-1

Superconductivity

Duration :

30h Th, 15h Labo.

Number of credits :

Master in physical engineering (120 ECTS)		5

Lecturer :

Philippe Vanderbemden

Language(s) of instruction :

English language

Organisation and examination :

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite :

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents :

Type I superconductivity : perfect conductivity, London theory, magnetic field penetration, two-fluid model, electromagnetic power, microwave properties, macroscopic quantic model, phase relations and fluxoïd quantization. Type II superconductivity : vortex structure, thermodynamical aspects, critical fields, vortex interactions, surface effects, vortex pinning, critical current density, Bean model. Basic Josephson junctions. Magnetic properties : field cooling, zero-field cooling, thermal and geometric effects. High temperature superconductors : anisotropy, irreversibility line, granularity. Engineering applications : cables and tapes, bulk materials, thin films.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit :

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

demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the electrical and magnetic properties of superconductors and their main difference with normal conductors;
understand how to apply the basic theories of superconductivity to the analysis of their physical properties;
understand the influence of the material microstructure on their current carrying abilities;
demonstrate practical skills as well as the ability to carry out successful measurements in superconductors in cryogenic environment;
show how the unique properties of superconductors can be exploited in various engineering applications.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills :

The "Electromagnetism" course (ELEN-0076-1) should be attended the same year (if not, previously).

Planned learning activities and teaching methods :

Practical courses involve mandatory laboratory experiments (electrical resistivity, magnetic susceptibility, direct and indirect critical current measurements, levitation force), 3 lectures about the synthesis of high-temperature superconducting ceramics, scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations and a visit of the labs of the "SUPRATECS" research group ("Electronics instrumentation" section)

Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :

Face-to-face