What Causes the Gradual Increase in Conductivity in Type 2 Superconductors?

In summary, the separation of copper-oxygen planes in superconductors may lead to a lack of overlap between atomic orbitals, but electrons can still tunnel through insulating layers. This tunneling is thought to impact superconductivity, although the mechanism is not well understood. In type 1 superconductors, there are many cooper pairs and a rapid change in conductivity, while type 2 superconductors show a gradual change. It is possible that in type 2 superconductors, electron movement through the lattice causes the formation of groups of atoms, leading to further electron movements and an increase in superconductivity as temperature decreases. This could also be happening in the insulating layers between copper-oxygen planes.
  • #1
kurious
641
0
The copper-oxygen planes that
are believed to be responsible for superconductivity are separated by
many insulating layers layers. So there might not be much overlap between
atomic orbitals between separated Cu-O planes. However, electrons can
still tunnel through the insulating layers. This tunneling is believed
to affect superconductivity, but it is not well understood how.



In type 1 superconductors there are lots of cooper pairs and there is a rapid change in conductivity.Type 2 superconductors show a gradual change from normal to super conductivity .Perhaps type 2 superconductors conduct increasingly better because electron movement through a lattice causes the formation of "groups" of atoms in the lattice which then cause further electron movements in such a way as to increase the formation of yet more groups and so on, as the temperature decreases
 
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  • #2
This could be what is happening in the insulating layers between the copper-oxygen planes, and this could be why superconductivity increases as the temperature decreases.
 

1. What is Type 2 superconductivity?

Type 2 superconductivity is a type of superconductivity that occurs at a higher critical temperature than Type 1 superconductivity. It is characterized by the ability to carry high currents and tolerate strong magnetic fields, making it useful for various technological applications.

2. How does Type 2 superconductivity differ from Type 1?

Type 2 superconductivity differs from Type 1 in several ways. Type 2 can carry higher currents and tolerate stronger magnetic fields, while Type 1 cannot. Type 2 also has a higher critical temperature, making it easier to achieve superconductivity.

3. What materials exhibit Type 2 superconductivity?

Many materials exhibit Type 2 superconductivity, including niobium-titanium and niobium-tin compounds, as well as some high-temperature superconductors such as yttrium barium copper oxide (YBCO).

4. What are the applications of Type 2 superconductivity?

Type 2 superconductivity has various applications, including in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines, particle accelerators, and high-speed trains (Maglev). It is also used in the construction of powerful magnets for research and industrial purposes.

5. What are the challenges in studying Type 2 superconductivity?

One of the main challenges in studying Type 2 superconductivity is understanding the complex interplay between the superconducting and magnetic properties of the material. Another challenge is finding materials that can achieve superconductivity at even higher temperatures, which would greatly expand the potential applications of Type 2 superconductors.

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