Superconductive Devices and Materials

Abstract

This chapter discusses some of the applications of superconductivity. After a brief review, the wave function for a condensed phase of Cooper pairs is introduced and used to discuss the Josephson effects. The physics of the DC and AC Josephson effects is developed, and current-voltage plots are described as preparation for a treatment of the effect of electromagnetic radiation on Josephson junctions. Quantization of magnetic flux in a superconducting ring leads to the idea of superconducting quantum interference and devices (DC squids) based thereon. Finally, the chapter concludes with a discussion of superconducting materials, with emphasis on the factors determining the magnitude of the transition temperature.