Tfy-3.491 (5 ocr) PV, 2+2, autumn 2006
Low Temperature Physics: Theory of Superconductivity

Overview

This graduate lecture course provides the theory of a fascinating phenomenon of superconductivity. Using simple and rigorous arguments the course allows a beginner to get prepared to the present-day research in condensed matter physics and nanotechnology, for which understanding superconductivity is indispensable.

Knowledge of basic principles of quantum mechanics is required.

The course amounts to 5 old credit points. (this may change)

Lecturer: Dr. N. B. Kopnin, email: lastname@boojum.hut.fi

Topics:

• The Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer theory of superconductivity.
• Normal-superconducting interfaces.
• Josephson and tunneling phenomena, weak links.
• Superconducting nanostructures.

Announcements

November 28th, 2006

Reminder: Remember to registrate for the exam in Webtopi at least one week before the event or let the course assistant know of your participation! This also applies to the exam in February.

November 21st, 2006

Updated lecture notes are available. Changes are made in chapters 4 and 5.

October 19th, 2006

Because of the second examination period (26.10-1.11), there is neither a lecture nor an exercise session on Tuesday 31.10.

September 12th, 2006

The first lecture was today and the exercise sessions were scheduled on Tuesdays at 13.15 starting from the next week (19.9). The room is the same as that of the lectures (F3). If you wish to sign-in late for the course, attend the first exercise session or contact the course assistant.

August 24th, 2006

The lecture notes are now available on the web page. They will be updated during the course (especially from chapter 4 onwards).

Lectures

On Tuesdays, 10-12, in hall F3, the physics building. The first lecture was on September 12th, 2006.

The course will be lectured in English.

Lecture notes

• PDF (December 7th)

Exercises

On Tuesdays, 13-15, in hall F3, the physics building.

Each week, a couple of exercises are given. Solutions to the problems should be handed in at the sessions. Alternatively, they can be returned in advance to room F105 on the ground floor of the physics building (find a map by following the link below). Solved problems are taken into account in grading.

Teaching assistant: Juha Voutilainen, email: firstname.lastname@tkk.fi

Exercise problems

• 19.9. - Problems 1.1 and 1.2 on page 19 of the lecture notes
• 26.9. - 1.3, 1.4 and 1.5
• 3.10. - 2.1 (yes, only one)
• 10.10. - 2.4, 2.5 and 2.6
• 17.10. - 2.2, 2.3, 2.7 and 2.8 (the remaining four in this chapter)
• 24.10. - 3.1 and 3.2
• 7.11. - 3.3 and 3.4
• 14.11. - 4.1 and 4.2
• 21.11. - 4.3 and 4.4
• 28.11. - 5.2, 5.3, 5.4 and 5.5
• 5.12. - A new problem:
  Find the quasiclassical probability of MQT from the minimum of the washboard potential for I close to Ic
• 12.12. - The remaining two in Chap. 6 (6.2 and 6.3 in the current, updated, online version of the lecture notes)

Literature

Here is a list of a few suggested books on the subject.

Basic reading:

• M. Tinkham, Introduction to superconductivity. McGraw-Hill, New York. (1996)
• P. G. de Gennes, Superconductivity of metals and alloys. W. A. Benjamin, New York. (1966)

More advanced:

• A. A. Abrikosov, Fundamentals of theory of metals. North Holland, Amsterdam. (1998)
• L. D. Landau and E. M. Lifshitz, Statistical physics, part 2: Theory of the condensed state, by E. M. Lifshitz and L. P. Pitaevskii. Pergamon, Oxford. (1980)

Examination

The course can be passed by taking a normal full course examination.

The final exam is held on Thu December 14th (time: 9-12, place: F1).

Another exam is held on Tue February 6th, 2007 (time: 12-15, place: F1).

Note that these are referred to with a course code Kyl-0.104 in the department listing of examinations.