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Vortex State and Flux Pinning

Description: This quiz evaluates your understanding of the vortex state and flux pinning in superconductors.
Number of Questions: 14
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Tags: superconductivity vortex state flux pinning
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In a superconductor, what is the vortex state?

  1. A state where magnetic flux penetrates the superconductor in the form of quantized vortices.

  2. A state where the superconductor is completely free of magnetic flux.

  3. A state where the superconductor exhibits perfect diamagnetism.

  4. A state where the superconductor has a non-zero electrical resistance.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

In the vortex state, magnetic flux penetrates the superconductor in the form of quantized vortices, each carrying one flux quantum. These vortices are surrounded by a region of normal conductivity, known as the vortex core.

What is the Meissner effect?

  1. The complete expulsion of magnetic flux from a superconductor.

  2. The penetration of magnetic flux into a superconductor in the form of quantized vortices.

  3. The decrease in electrical resistance of a superconductor as it is cooled below its critical temperature.

  4. The increase in electrical resistance of a superconductor as it is cooled below its critical temperature.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Meissner effect is the complete expulsion of magnetic flux from a superconductor when it is cooled below its critical temperature. This is a fundamental property of superconductors and is one of the key signatures of superconductivity.

What is flux pinning?

  1. The process by which magnetic flux is trapped in a superconductor.

  2. The process by which magnetic flux is expelled from a superconductor.

  3. The process by which the critical temperature of a superconductor is increased.

  4. The process by which the electrical resistance of a superconductor is decreased.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Flux pinning is the process by which magnetic flux is trapped in a superconductor. This can occur due to defects in the crystal lattice, impurities, or grain boundaries. Flux pinning can have a significant impact on the properties of a superconductor, such as its critical current density and its ability to carry current without dissipation.

What is the critical current density of a superconductor?

  1. The maximum current density that a superconductor can carry without dissipation.

  2. The minimum current density that a superconductor can carry without dissipation.

  3. The current density at which a superconductor transitions from the superconducting state to the normal state.

  4. The current density at which a superconductor exhibits perfect diamagnetism.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The critical current density is the maximum current density that a superconductor can carry without dissipation. When the current density exceeds the critical current density, the superconductor transitions to the normal state and begins to exhibit electrical resistance.

What is the Ginzburg-Landau parameter?

  1. A dimensionless parameter that characterizes the strength of superconductivity in a material.

  2. A dimensionless parameter that characterizes the strength of magnetism in a material.

  3. A dimensionless parameter that characterizes the strength of the Meissner effect in a material.

  4. A dimensionless parameter that characterizes the strength of the flux pinning in a material.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Ginzburg-Landau parameter is a dimensionless parameter that characterizes the strength of superconductivity in a material. It is defined as the ratio of the coherence length to the penetration depth. A large Ginzburg-Landau parameter indicates that the superconductor is strongly type-II, while a small Ginzburg-Landau parameter indicates that the superconductor is weakly type-II or type-I.

What is the coherence length of a superconductor?

  1. The characteristic length scale over which the superconducting order parameter varies.

  2. The characteristic length scale over which the magnetic field penetrates a superconductor.

  3. The characteristic length scale over which the current density varies in a superconductor.

  4. The characteristic length scale over which the electrical resistance varies in a superconductor.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The coherence length is the characteristic length scale over which the superconducting order parameter varies. It is typically of the order of a few nanometers. The coherence length is an important parameter in superconductivity, as it determines the size of the Cooper pairs and the range of the superconducting correlations.

What is the penetration depth of a superconductor?

  1. The characteristic length scale over which the magnetic field penetrates a superconductor.

  2. The characteristic length scale over which the superconducting order parameter varies.

  3. The characteristic length scale over which the current density varies in a superconductor.

  4. The characteristic length scale over which the electrical resistance varies in a superconductor.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The penetration depth is the characteristic length scale over which the magnetic field penetrates a superconductor. It is typically of the order of a few hundred nanometers. The penetration depth is an important parameter in superconductivity, as it determines the magnetic field screening properties of the superconductor.

What is the London penetration depth?

  1. The characteristic length scale over which the magnetic field penetrates a superconductor in the absence of flux pinning.

  2. The characteristic length scale over which the magnetic field penetrates a superconductor in the presence of flux pinning.

  3. The characteristic length scale over which the superconducting order parameter varies.

  4. The characteristic length scale over which the current density varies in a superconductor.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The London penetration depth is the characteristic length scale over which the magnetic field penetrates a superconductor in the absence of flux pinning. It is typically of the order of a few tens of nanometers. The London penetration depth is an important parameter in superconductivity, as it determines the magnetic field screening properties of the superconductor in the absence of flux pinning.

What is the Pippard penetration depth?

  1. The characteristic length scale over which the magnetic field penetrates a superconductor in the presence of flux pinning.

  2. The characteristic length scale over which the magnetic field penetrates a superconductor in the absence of flux pinning.

  3. The characteristic length scale over which the superconducting order parameter varies.

  4. The characteristic length scale over which the current density varies in a superconductor.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Pippard penetration depth is the characteristic length scale over which the magnetic field penetrates a superconductor in the presence of flux pinning. It is typically of the order of a few hundred nanometers. The Pippard penetration depth is an important parameter in superconductivity, as it determines the magnetic field screening properties of the superconductor in the presence of flux pinning.

What is the difference between type-I and type-II superconductors?

  1. Type-I superconductors exhibit perfect diamagnetism, while type-II superconductors exhibit partial diamagnetism.

  2. Type-I superconductors have a lower critical magnetic field than type-II superconductors.

  3. Type-I superconductors have a higher critical current density than type-II superconductors.

  4. Type-I superconductors are more brittle than type-II superconductors.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Type-I superconductors exhibit perfect diamagnetism, meaning that they completely expel magnetic flux from their interiors. Type-II superconductors, on the other hand, exhibit partial diamagnetism, meaning that they allow some magnetic flux to penetrate their interiors in the form of quantized vortices. This difference in behavior is due to the different values of the Ginzburg-Landau parameter in type-I and type-II superconductors.

What is the critical magnetic field of a superconductor?

  1. The magnetic field at which a superconductor transitions from the superconducting state to the normal state.

  2. The magnetic field at which a superconductor exhibits perfect diamagnetism.

  3. The magnetic field at which a superconductor exhibits partial diamagnetism.

  4. The magnetic field at which a superconductor exhibits flux pinning.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The critical magnetic field is the magnetic field at which a superconductor transitions from the superconducting state to the normal state. This transition is typically a sharp and discontinuous change in the properties of the superconductor, such as its electrical resistance and magnetic susceptibility.

What is the lower critical magnetic field of a type-II superconductor?

  1. The magnetic field at which a type-II superconductor transitions from the superconducting state to the normal state.

  2. The magnetic field at which a type-II superconductor exhibits perfect diamagnetism.

  3. The magnetic field at which a type-II superconductor exhibits partial diamagnetism.

  4. The magnetic field at which a type-II superconductor exhibits flux pinning.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The lower critical magnetic field is the magnetic field at which a type-II superconductor exhibits partial diamagnetism. Below this field, the superconductor is in the Meissner state and completely expels magnetic flux. Above this field, the superconductor is in the mixed state and allows some magnetic flux to penetrate its interior in the form of quantized vortices.

What is the upper critical magnetic field of a type-II superconductor?

  1. The magnetic field at which a type-II superconductor transitions from the superconducting state to the normal state.

  2. The magnetic field at which a type-II superconductor exhibits perfect diamagnetism.

  3. The magnetic field at which a type-II superconductor exhibits partial diamagnetism.

  4. The magnetic field at which a type-II superconductor exhibits flux pinning.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The upper critical magnetic field is the magnetic field at which a type-II superconductor transitions from the superconducting state to the normal state. Above this field, the superconductor is in the normal state and exhibits no diamagnetism or flux pinning.

What is the mixed state in a type-II superconductor?

  1. The state in which a type-II superconductor exhibits partial diamagnetism.

  2. The state in which a type-II superconductor exhibits perfect diamagnetism.

  3. The state in which a type-II superconductor exhibits flux pinning.

  4. The state in which a type-II superconductor exhibits no diamagnetism or flux pinning.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The mixed state is the state in which a type-II superconductor exhibits partial diamagnetism. In this state, the superconductor allows some magnetic flux to penetrate its interior in the form of quantized vortices. The mixed state exists between the lower critical magnetic field and the upper critical magnetic field.

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