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Treatment: Thermodynamical

1) The document discusses using thermodynamics to analyze the phase change that occurs when a material transitions from its normal state to a superconducting state below a critical temperature curve. 2) It draws an analogy between this normal-to-superconducting phase change and the liquid-to-vapor phase change seen in water, noting that the material's properties qualitatively change across the critical temperature curve in both cases. 3) For thermodynamics to be applicable, the phase change must be reversible, and fortunately the normal-to-superconducting transition is reversible due to the Meissner effect, allowing superconductors to be analyzed with thermodynamic techniques.

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Nurul Fahmi Arief
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31 views1 page

Treatment: Thermodynamical

1) The document discusses using thermodynamics to analyze the phase change that occurs when a material transitions from its normal state to a superconducting state below a critical temperature curve. 2) It draws an analogy between this normal-to-superconducting phase change and the liquid-to-vapor phase change seen in water, noting that the material's properties qualitatively change across the critical temperature curve in both cases. 3) For thermodynamics to be applicable, the phase change must be reversible, and fortunately the normal-to-superconducting transition is reversible due to the Meissner effect, allowing superconductors to be analyzed with thermodynamic techniques.

Uploaded by

Nurul Fahmi Arief
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

366

SuperconductivitY that induced magnetic fluctuations may also be responsible for the painng
mechanism.

4.4

Thermodynamical treatment

Let us look again at Fig. 14.4. Above the curve our substance behaves in
the normally accepted way. It has the same sort of properties it had at room temperature. Its magnetic properties are the same, and its electric properties are the same; true. the electrical resistivity is smaller than at room temperature, but there is nothing unexpected in that. However, as soon as we cross the curve, the properties of the substance become qualitatively different. Above the curve the substance is non-magnetic, below the curve it becomes diamagnetic; above the curve it has a finite electrical resistance, below the curve the electric
resistance is zero. If you think about it a little you will see that the situation is very similar to that you hal'e studied under the name of 'phase change' or 'phase transition' in

thermodynamics. Recall, for example, the diagram showing the vaporization of water (Fig. 1a.7). The properties of the substance differ appreciably above and below the curve, and we do not need elaborate laboratory equipment to teli the difference. Our senses are quite capable ofdistinguishing steam from water. It is quite natural to call them by different names and refer to the state above the curve as the liquid phase, and to the state below the curve as the vapour phase. Analogously, we may talk about normal and superconducting phases r.r'hen interpreting Fig. 14.4. Thus, the road is open to investigate the properties of superconductors bv the r.vell-established techniques of thermodynamics. Well, is the road open'i We must be careful: thermodynamics can be applied only if the change is reversible. Is the normal to superconducting phase change reversible'l Fortunately, it is. Had we a perfect conductor instead of a superconductor the phase change would nol be reversible, and we should not be justified in using thermodynamics. Thanks to the Meissner effect, thermodynamics rs applicable.

=
!

Fig.14.7
The pressure against ternperature diagram for water.
Temperature

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