CONCEPT OF ENERGY GAP IN SUPERCONDUCTORS

ABSTRACT

The concept of Superconductors in relation to energy gap was considered in this study. The occurrence of the Meissner effect indicates that superconductivity cannot be understood simply as the idealization of perfect conductivity in classical physics. The major aim of this project is to study the concept of energy gap in super conductors other objectives of this study are to appraise the rate of superconductivity for energy gaps and to appraise the effectiveness of energy gap in superconductors. Superconductivity can be seen as a complete disappearance of electrical resistance in various solids when they are cooled below a characteristic temperature. The use of superconductors in magnets is limited by the fact that strong magnetic fields above a certain critical value cause a superconductor to revert to its normal, or non superconducting state. The theory of superconductivity has been tested in a wide range of experiments, involving, for example, ultrasonic absorption studies, nuclear-spin phenomena, low-frequency infrared absorption, and electron-tunneling experiments. In conclusion, superconductor energy gaps arise from changes in system entropy between the superconductor and the normal conductor in the phase transition and the ratio of the superconductor energy gap to the superconductor critical temperature depends upon the chemical structure of superconductor.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page                                                                                                                                           i

Declaration                                                                                                                                        ii

Certification                                                                                                                                       iii

Dedication                                                                                                                                          iv

Acknowledgement                                                                                                                             v

Table of Contents                                                                                                                              vi

List of Tables                                                                                                                                     viii

Abstract                                                                                                                                             ix

CHAPTER ONE

1.0    Introduction                                                                                                                               1

1.1    Background of the Study                                                                                                          1

1.2    Statement of the Problem                                                                                         2

1.3    Aims and Objectives of the Study                                                                                            2

1.4    Scope of the Study                                                                                                                    2

CHAPTER TWO

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

2.1    Definition of Terms                                                                                                                   4

2.2    Theoretical Framework                                                                                                              7

2.3    Previous Works on Superconductors                                                                                         7

2.4    Uniqueness of Superconductors                                                                                                10

2.4.1 Basic properties of Superconductors                                                                                         10

2.4.2 Thermal properties of Superconductors                                                                                     18

2.5    Classification of Superconductors                                                                                             22

CHAPTER THREE

3.1    Failure


of Classical Mechanics on Superconductivity                                                               24

3.1.1 Wave Mechanics: The Wave Equation                                                                                      24

3.2    Quantum Mechanical Explanation of Superconductivity                                                          27

CHAPTER FOUR

4.1    Fermi-Dirac Statistical Distribution at Low Temperature                                                         34

4.1.1    The Fermi–Dirac Distribution                                                                                                 34

4.1.2    Fermi-Dirac Details                                                                                                                 36

4.2       Effect of Fermi-Dirac Statistical Distribution on Superconductivity Resistance                   38

CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

5.1       Summary                                                                                                                                 40

5.2       Conclusion                                                                                                                              40

REFERENCES