Superconductivity: an introduction

"Superconductivity Superconductivity is among the most exciting of quantum phenomena in condensed matter physics, and has important applications across science and technology, from fusion reactors to particle accelerators. This self-contained text provides a comprehensive account of the physical foundations of superconductivity and related recent developments in the field. Beginning with a detailed description of the BCS theory of superconductivity, the book then describes the subsequent successes of this landmark theory and proceeds to more advanced topics such as Josephson effects and vortices. The strong coupling theory of superconductivity is introduced in later chapters, providing a springboard to important current research on hydride superconductors, which have displayed very high critical temperatures. Recent manifestations of superfluidity in ultracold atoms physics are also described. This book will give readers a solid grounding in the theory and applications of superconductivity, and an appreciation of its broader importance in the field of modern condensed matter physics"--

Cover -- Half-title Page -- Title Page -- Copyright Page -- Contents -- Preface -- 1 Phenomenology -- 1.1 Basic Properties -- 1.2 London Theory -- 1.3 Electromagnetic Response -- 1.4 Physical Ideas, Microscopic Origin of Superconductivity -- 1.5 Further Reading: Magnetic Field Penetration in the General Case -- 2 The BCS Theory -- 2.1 The Cooper Problem -- 2.2 Effective Interaction -- 2.3 BCS Wave Function -- 2.4 Determination of u[sub(k)] and v[sub(k)]. The Gap Equation -- 2.5 Further Analysis of the Ground State -- 2.6 Further Reading: Pair Wave Function, Mathematical Details -- 3 Thermodynamics of the BCS Theory -- 3.1 Excited States -- 3.2 Tunneling -- 3.3 Free Energy -- 3.4 Gap Equation, Critical Temperature -- 3.5 Specific Heat, Critical Field -- 3.6 Isotope Effect, Coulomb Repulsion -- 3.7 Electron-Phonon Interaction -- 3.8 Other Pairing Symmetries and Mechanisms -- 4 Response to an External Perturbation -- 4.1 Introduction -- 4.2 Coupling to the Electromagnetic Field -- 4.3 Linear Response -- 4.4 Coherence Factors -- 4.5 BCS Response Function -- 4.6 Conductivity and Meissner Effect for the BCS State -- 4.7 Impurities Effect -- 4.8 Other Responses -- 5 Macroscopic Effects -…