Entry requirements

120 credits in science/engineering with Quantum Physics and Solid State Physics. Participation in Quantum Mechanics. Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• Describe what is the superconducting state and its fundamental properties
• Explain properties of matter in the solid state using statistical physics
• Predict material properties through calculations
• Use BCS-theory as a framework to describe superconductivity
• Explain the simplest superconducting effects
• Be able to describe and model the simplest superconductors
• Describe transport phenomena in systems exhibiting superconductivity, also in quantiative terms through calculations.
• ​Present and write a report about one particular concept on superconductivity

Content

The course on superconductivity aims at introducing the basic concepts for understanding, describing and modelling superconductors. 

1. Introduction and phenomenological theories of superconductivity: Experimental facts London theory, de Gennes theory, Pippard theory, Ginzburg-Landau theory. Statistical physics descriptions of condensed matter.
2. Microscopic theory of superconductivity: BCS theory, Cooper pairs, Nambu space.
3. Unconventional superconductors: p-wave, d-wave, topological, high-temperature.
4. Transport in superconducting systems.
5. Superconductors and magnetism
6. Overview of superconducting applications: e.g. quantum sensors: SQUID, spin-valves.

Instruction

Lectures, tutorials, seminars

Assessment

Written exam. Hand-in assignments. Written report with oral presentation. 

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the disability coordinator of the university.