Ebook: Electromagnetic Absorption in the Copper Oxide Superconductors

In 1987 a major breakthrough occurred in materials science. A new family of materials was discovered that became superconducting above the temperature at which nitrogen gas liquifies, namely, 77 K or –196°C. Within months of the discovery, a wide variety of experimental techniques were brought to bear in order to measure the properties of these materials and to gain an understanding of why they superconduct at such high temperatures. Among the techniques used were electromagnetic absorption in both the normal and the superconducting states. The measurements enabled the determination of a wide variety of properties, and in some instances led to the observation of new effects not seen by other measu- ments, such as the existence of weak-link microwave absorption at low dc magnetic fields. The number of different properties and the degree of detail that can be obtained from magnetic field- and temperature-dependent studies of electromagnetic abso- tion are not widely appreciated. For example, these measurements can provide information on the band gap, critical fields, the H–T irreversibility line, the amount of trapped flux, and even information about the symmetry of the wave function of the Cooper pairs. It is possible to use low dc magnetic field-induced absorption of microwaves with derivative detection to verify the presence of superconductivity in a matter of minutes, and the measurements are often more straightforward than others. For example, they do not require the physical contact with the sample that is necessary when using four-probe resistivity to detect superconductivity.

---

This accessible volume presents an overview of the field with an emphasis on the new superconducting materials. After an elementary introduction to superconductivity, the authors highlight those properties most essential to understanding electromagnetic absorption of the superconducting state. They then outline both basic theories and salient experimental results, emphasizing qualitative aspects and experimental measurements. Readers will gain not only a basic understanding of the subject but also an appreciation of the wealth of information provided by electromagnetic absorption measurements, as well as insights into the mechanisms of absorption.

---

This accessible volume presents an overview of the field with an emphasis on the new superconducting materials. After an elementary introduction to superconductivity, the authors highlight those properties most essential to understanding electromagnetic absorption of the superconducting state. They then outline both basic theories and salient experimental results, emphasizing qualitative aspects and experimental measurements. Readers will gain not only a basic understanding of the subject but also an appreciation of the wealth of information provided by electromagnetic absorption measurements, as well as insights into the mechanisms of absorption.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-xii
The Superconducting State....Pages 1-29
The New Superconductors....Pages 31-54
Experimental Methods and Complementary Techniques....Pages 55-73
Electromagnetic Absorption in the Normal State....Pages 75-94
Zero Magnetic Field Microwave Absorption....Pages 95-112
Low Magnetic Field-Induced Microwave Absorption....Pages 113-138
Electromagnetic Absorption Due to Vortex Motion....Pages 139-157
Infrared and Optical Absorption....Pages 159-174
Applications....Pages 175-192
Back Matter....Pages 193-199

---

This accessible volume presents an overview of the field with an emphasis on the new superconducting materials. After an elementary introduction to superconductivity, the authors highlight those properties most essential to understanding electromagnetic absorption of the superconducting state. They then outline both basic theories and salient experimental results, emphasizing qualitative aspects and experimental measurements. Readers will gain not only a basic understanding of the subject but also an appreciation of the wealth of information provided by electromagnetic absorption measurements, as well as insights into the mechanisms of absorption.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-xii
The Superconducting State....Pages 1-29
The New Superconductors....Pages 31-54
Experimental Methods and Complementary Techniques....Pages 55-73
Electromagnetic Absorption in the Normal State....Pages 75-94
Zero Magnetic Field Microwave Absorption....Pages 95-112
Low Magnetic Field-Induced Microwave Absorption....Pages 113-138
Electromagnetic Absorption Due to Vortex Motion....Pages 139-157
Infrared and Optical Absorption....Pages 159-174
Applications....Pages 175-192
Back Matter....Pages 193-199
....