Duration
30h Th, 15h Labo.
Number of credits
| Master of Science (MSc) in Engineering Physics | 5 crédits |
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
English language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
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.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
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.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
An electromagnetism course should be attended the same year (if not, previously).
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
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 of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Additional information:
Face-to-face
Recommended or required readings
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.
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
written exam ( open-ended questions )
Written work / report
Additional information:
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.
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
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