Treatment: Thermodynamical
Treatment: Thermodynamical
Treatment: Thermodynamical
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