INTRODUCTION
Some material offer zero resistance to the flow of current
below a specific temperature . They are called
Superconductor.
Mostly they are metal, alloys, and ceramics.
This specific temperature is called critical temperature or
the Transition Temperature.
This phenomenon is termed as Superconductivity.
DEFINITION
The substances which show Superconductivity at low
temperature are called Superconductors.
HISTORY
Superconductivity was first discovered in 1911
by the Dutch Physicist, HEIKE KAMMERLINGH ONNES.
TRANSITION TEMPERATURE
The temperature at which a material electrical resistivity drops to
absolute zero is called the Transition Temperature or Critical temperature.
At and below TC , the material is said to be in the superconductivity state
and above this temperature, the material is said to be in the normal state.
Figure shows the variation of electrical resistivity of a normal metal
Silver(Ag) and superconducting metal Mercury(Hg) versus temperature.
It can be seen that the electrical resistivity of normal metal decreases
steadily as the temperature is decreased and reaches a low value at 0k
called the residual (ρ) resistivity.
0
Fig :- Electrical Resistivity Vs
Temperature
IMPORTANT FACTORS
The superconducting state is defined by three very important factors:-
Critical Temperature (TC) :-
The temperature below which resistance
of a Superconductor become Zero.
Critical Magnetic Field (HC) :-
Magnetic field required to destroy the
superconducting state.
Critical Current Density (JC) :-
The minimum amount of current that
can pass through a superconductor without transitioning it back to the
normal state.
TYPES
Type – I Superconductors
Type – II Superconductors
TYPE – I SUPERCONDUCTORS
These superconductors are called Soft
Superconductors.
Only one Critical magnetic field exist for
these Superconductors.
The Critical field value is very low.
These Superconductors exhibits perfect
and complete Meissner Effect.
The current flows through the surface
only.
Example – Pb, Hg, Zn, etc.
TYPE – II SUPERCONDUCTORS
These superconductors are called as Hard
Superconductors.
Two Critical fields HC1 and HC2 exist for these
superconductors.
The Critical field value is very High.
These superconductors do not exhibits perfect
and complete Meissner Effect.
It is found that current flows throughout the
material.
Example – Nb3Ge , Nb3Si etc.
MEISSNER
EFFECT
The complete expulsion of all magnetic field
by a superconducting material is called
“MEISSNER EFFECT”.
The Meissner effect is a distinct characteristic
of a superconducting from a normal perfect
conductor.
In addition, this effect is exhibited by the
superconducting material only when the applied
field is less then the Critical field HC.
Normal State :- T > TC.
Superconducting State :- T < TC.
APPLICATIONS
Electric motors and Generators.
Superconducting Wire.
Maglev Train.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).
ADVANTAGE
Magnetic Levitation.
Power & Cost Efficient
Reduces the size & Weight of Motors Generators & Supporting
equipments.
DISADVANTAGE
Extremely Brittle.
Very low Critical Temperature.
Not applicable for Consumer electronics.
CONCLUSION
Today's motors are fundamentally similar to the
electric motors designed over a century ago. The advent of high
temperature superconductivity has created the opportunity in the
technology of motors. The cost , size , weight and efficiency
benefits of superconducting machines will significantly change the
dynamics of the motor manufacturing industry and the motor user
market.
REFERENCES
Solid State Chemistry :
“D.K. CHAKRABARTY”
(Page No. 197 – 203)
Solid State Physics :
“R.L. SINGHAL”
Solid State Chemistry :
“ANTHONY WEST”
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