Superfluidity, Superconductivity and Magnetism

Recommended Prerequisites

Knowledge of Condensed Matter Physics at a basic level.

Teaching Methods

A few of these topics will be taught in lectures, others will be proposed to students for individual study, after a brief introduction in the lectures.

The students will perform a set of laboratory experiments, such as: measurement of the magnetic susceptibility of paramagnetic salts and determination of effective moment; determination of the Curie temperature and measurement of hysteresis loops in a ferromagnet; synthesis, and characterisation of the electric and magnetic properties of a high-Tc superconductor; etc.

Learning Outcomes

Main learning outcomes:

A deep knowledge of the physics involved in the following topics addressed in this course: Bose-Einstein condensates, superfluidity, superconductivity, magnetism and their technological applications.

A theoretical (at the quantum mechanics level) understanding of the physical phenomena responsible for such states of matter.

Application of previous knowledge of Quantum Mechanics and Statistical Physics  to new situations, concerning topics of the program.

Modelling and resolution of specific problems in the area.

Other learning outcomes:

Development of critical reasoning, autonomous work, and laboratory skills in the fields of cryogenics and measurement of electrical and magnetic properties.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

Bose-Einstein condensates.
Superfluidity.
Classical and quantum fluids.
The superfluidity of He(II).
Flux quantisation and vortices.
Superconductivity.
Discovery; basic properties of superconductors (electric, magnetic and thermodynamic).
Type I and type II superconductivity.
London's model.
Gunzburg-Landau model.
The BCS theory of superconductivity.
Non-conventional superconductivity and superfluidity.
Magnetism.
Magnetism of isolated atoms: diamagnetism, paramagnetism, Hundt's rules.
Crystal field.
Magnetic interactions: dipolar magnetic interaction, exchange interaction.
Magnetic order: ferromagnetism, antiferromagnetism and ferrimagnetism. Weiss-Néel model.
Magnetic domains.
Kondo effect and Hubbard's model.

Head Lecturer(s)

José António de Carvalho Paixão

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Resolution Problems: 10.0%
Laboratory work or Field work: 20.0%
Exam: 70.0%

Bibliography

Superconductivity, superfluids and condensates, J.F. Annett, Oxford Univ. Press (2004).

Introduction to superconductivity, A.C. Rose-Innes and E.H.Rhoderic, Pergamon Press.

Magnetism in Condensed Matter, S. Blundell, Oxford. Univ. Press (2001).