2023-2024 / ELEN0047-1

Superconductivity

Durée

30h Th, 15h Labo.

Nombre de crédits

 Master : ingénieur civil physicien, à finalité5 crédits 

Enseignant

Philippe Vanderbemden

Langue(s) de l'unité d'enseignement

Langue anglaise

Organisation et évaluation

Enseignement au premier quadrimestre, examen en janvier

Horaire

Horaire en ligne

Unités d'enseignement prérequises et corequises

Les unités prérequises ou corequises sont présentées au sein de chaque programme

Contenus de l'unité d'enseignement

The aim of the course is to introduce the concepts of superconductivity that are useful to understand engineering applications involving superconductors. This includes: the electrical and magnetic properties of superconducting materials, the measurement methods for determining these properties, the different types of superconductors, the physical mechanisms involved and the practical applications. The prerequisite for this course is basic electromagnetism. The course can be followed by students following a cursus in electrical engineering, physics or engineering physics.
 
The content of the course is as follows : Reminder on Maxwell equations and on the behaviour of a metal subjected to an AC magnetic field. Type I superconductivity : perfect conductivity, London theory, magnetic field penetration, two-fluid model, electromagnetic power, microwave properties, macroscopic quantic model, phase relations and fluxoïd quantization. Type II superconductivity : vortex structure, thermodynamical aspects, critical fields, vortex interactions, surface effects, vortex pinning, critical current density, Bean model. Basic Josephson junctions. Magnetic properties : field cooling, zero-field cooling, thermal and geometric effects. High temperature superconductors : anisotropy, irreversibility line, granularity. Engineering applications : cables and tapes, bulk materials, thin films.

Acquis d'apprentissage (objectifs d'apprentissage) de l'unité d'enseignement

At the end of the course, students will be able to:




  • demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the electrical and magnetic properties of superconductors and their main difference with normal conductors;
  • understand how to apply the basic theories of superconductivity to the analysis of their physical properties;
  • understand the influence of the material microstructure on their current carrying abilities;
  • demonstrate practical skills as well as the ability to carry out successful measurements in superconductors in cryogenic environment;
  • show how the unique properties of superconductors can be exploited in various engineering applications.
This course contributes to the learning outcomes I.1, I.2, II.1, II.2, III.1, III.2, III.2, III.4, IV.2, VI.1, VII.2, VII.4 of the MSc in engineering physics.

Savoirs et compétences prérequis

An electromagnetism course should be attended the same year (if not, previously).

Activités d'apprentissage prévues et méthodes d'enseignement

Practical courses involve sessions of mandatory laboratory experiments (electrical resistivity, critical current, direct and indirect critical current measurements, levitation force). Visit of the labs of the "Electronics instrumentation" research group, part related to superconductivity.

Mode d'enseignement (présentiel, à distance, hybride)

Cours donné exclusivement en présentiel


Explications complémentaires:

Face-to-face

Lectures recommandées ou obligatoires et notes de cours

Reference book :

"Foundations of Applied Superconductivity" T.P. Orlando and K.A. Delin, Addison Wesley Publishing Company (1991).

Additional syllabuses :
"Complements on magnetic properties and critical currents of superconductors" (31 pages).
"Superconductivity. Laboratory coursebook".

A copy of the slides will be made available at the first lecture.

Modalités d'évaluation et critères

Examen(s) en session

Toutes sessions confondues

- En présentiel

évaluation écrite ( questions ouvertes )

Travail à rendre - rapport


Explications complémentaires:

In case exams can be organised on the university premises:

Theoretical and laboratory part : written exam (January session) - weight 85%

In case distance exams must be organised :

Theoretical and laboratory part : online distance oral exam, using video (January session) - weight 85%

Written laboratory reports - weight 15%

Deadline for the laboratory reports:  the day of the January exam.

Stage(s)

Remarques organisationnelles et modifications principales apportées au cours

1. Theoretical part (30 hours) : 1st quadrimester - see CELCAT calendar
2. Laboratories (15 hours) : schedule to be determined, depending on the measurement lab vacancies.

 

Each of the laboratory sessions is mandatory and should be prepared in advance by reading carefully the corresponding section of the "laboratory" files.

Contacts

Philippe Vanderbemden Tel : 04 366 26 70 Philippe.Vanderbemden@uliege.be

Association d'un ou plusieurs MOOCs