- Large introductory theory area with solid state physics (e.g. BCS theory), superconductivity (e.g. London equations)
- Understandable without having listened to a solid state physics lecture
- Logging to perform multiple experiments
- Already rated by lecturers
6.2 Relationship between Thermoelectric Voltage and Temperature 32
6.3 Measurement Series - Measurements on the Solid Coil Body . 33
6.3.1 Temperature is being increased . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
6.3.2 Temperature is being lowered . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
, Page 3 from 40
1 Introduction
At the beginning of the 20th century, superconductivity was discovered for
the first time. In this phenomenon, electricity can be conducted nearly loss-
lessly at temperatures close to 0 Kelvin, contradicting the contemporary
explanation of resistances and their behavior. These low temperatures were
achieved by the coldness of liquid helium.
The initial attempt to explain superconductivity posited that the thermal
vibrations within atomic bonds decrease steadily with decreasing tempera-
tures, resulting in a reduction of resistance. The question then arose whether
the resistance continues to decrease all the way to zero at T = 0K, causing
the atomic bonds to freeze, or if the resistance reaches a minimum at a cer-
tain temperature and then increases again. Half a century after the discovery,
the effect was quantitatively interpreted in the BCS theory.
Dutch physicist Heike Kamerlingh Onnes first observed superconductivity
in mercury, for which he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1913.
Just above 4K, the resistance suddenly dropped so significantly that it could
no longer be accurately determined with the instruments of that time. This
temperature was termed the critical temperature. Over the years, more me-
tals exhibiting this behavior were discovered and labeled as superconductors,
categorized by their critical temperatures.
Current research on superconductors focuses primarily on finding materials
with increasingly higher critical temperatures, aiming to harness the advan-
tages of superconductivity while minimizing the need for extensive cooling.
This is referred to as high-temperature superconductivity (HTSL) and is a
component of this experiment. Superconductors enable the realization of ex-
tremely strong magnets (with field strengths of several Tesla), employed, for
instance, in the medical field in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using
superconducting coils. Other applications include maglev trains, particle ac-
celerators, generators, or rapid switching devices.
This experiment is divided into three sections. First, low-temperature su-
perconductivity is investigated using niobium film and a coil, followed by the
high-temperature superconductor YBCO, and finally, levitation is examined.
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller lukasritzer. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $7.74. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
