ELEN0047-1

Duration

30h Th, 15h Labo.

Number of credits

	Master of Science (MSc) in Engineering Physics	5 crédits

Lecturer

Philippe Vanderbemden

Language(s) of instruction

English language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Schedule

Schedule online

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

An electromagnetism course should be attended the same year (if not, previously).

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Practical courses involve 3 sessions of mandatory laboratory experiments (electrical resistivity, magnetic susceptibility, direct and indirect critical current measurements, levitation force). Visit of the labs of the "Electronics instrumentation" research group, part related to superconductivity.
On-site laboratory experiments may be modified due to the sanitary situation.

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Face-to-face (may be modified due to the sanitary situation)

Organisational adjustments related to the current health context

Assessment methods and criteria

Below you will find information on the evaluation methods planned for in-person and remote exams as well as those planned for hybrid sessions. Depending on how the health crisis evolves, the chosen method will be communicated to you no later than one month before the start of the exam session.

Any session :

- In-person

written exam ( open-ended questions )

- Remote

oral exam

- If evaluation in "hybrid"

preferred in-person

Additional information:

In case exams can be organised on the university premises:
Theoretical and laboratory part : written exam (January session) - weight 85%
In case distance exams must be organised :
Theoretical and laboratory part : online distance oral exam, using video (January session) - weight 85%
Written laboratory reports - weight 15%
Deadline for the laboratory reports: the day of the January exam.

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

1. Theoretical part (30 hours) : 1st quadrimester - see CELCAT calendar 2. Laboratories (15 hours) : schedule to be determined, depending on the measurement lab vacancies.

Each of the laboratory sessions is mandatory and should be prepared in advance by reading carefully the corresponding section of the "laboratory" files.

Contacts

Philippe Vanderbemden Tel : 04 366 26 70 Philippe.Vanderbemden@uliege.be

Superconductivity