 |
|
Secrets behind high temperature superconductors revealed
February 23, 2009Scientists from Queen Mary, University of London and the University of Fribourg (Switzerland) have found evidence that magnetism is involved in the mechanism behind high temperature superconductivity.
Writing in the journal Nature Materials, Dr Alan Drew from Queen Mary's Department of Physics and his colleagues at the University of Fribourg report on the investigation of a new high temperature superconductor, the so-called oxypnictides. They found that these exhibit some striking similarities with the previously known copper-oxide high temperature superconductors - in both cases superconductivity emerges from a magnetic state. Their results go some way to explaining the mechanisms behind high temperature superconductors.
Superconductors are materials that can conduct electricity with no resistance, but only at low temperatures. High temperature superconductors were first discovered in 1986 in copper-oxides, which increased the operational temperature of superconductors by more than 100°C, to -130°C and opened up a wealth of applications. The complex fundamental physics behind these high temperature superconductors has, however, remained a mystery to scientists.
Dr Drew said "Last year, a new class of high-temperature superconductor was discovered that has a completely different make-up to the ones previously known - containing layers of Arsenic and Iron instead of layers of Copper and Oxygen. Our hope is that by studying them both together, we may be able to resolve the underlying physics behind both types of superconductor and design new superconducting materials, which may eventually lead to even higher temperature superconductors."
Professor Bernhard, of the University of Fribourg, added: "Despite the mysteries of high-temperature superconductivity, their applications are wide-ranging. One exciting applications is using superconducting wire to provide lossless power transmission from power stations to cities. Superconducting wire can hold a much higher current density than existing copper wire and is lossless and therefore energy saving."
An electrical current flowing round a loop of superconducting wire can also continue indefinitely, producing some of the most powerful electromagnets known to man. These magnets are used in MRI scanners, to 'float' the MagLev train, and to steer the proton beam of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN. Envisaged future applications of superconductors exist also in ultrafast electronic devices and in quantum computing.
Queen Mary, University of London
Dr Drew said "Last year, a new class of high-temperature superconductor was discovered that has a completely different make-up to the ones previously known - containing layers of Arsenic and Iron instead of layers of Copper and Oxygen. Our hope is that by studying them both together, we may be able to resolve the underlying physics behind both types of superconductor and design new superconducting materials, which may eventually lead to even higher temperature superconductors."
Professor Bernhard, of the University of Fribourg, added: "Despite the mysteries of high-temperature superconductivity, their applications are wide-ranging. One exciting applications is using superconducting wire to provide lossless power transmission from power stations to cities. Superconducting wire can hold a much higher current density than existing copper wire and is lossless and therefore energy saving."
An electrical current flowing round a loop of superconducting wire can also continue indefinitely, producing some of the most powerful electromagnets known to man. These magnets are used in MRI scanners, to 'float' the MagLev train, and to steer the proton beam of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN. Envisaged future applications of superconductors exist also in ultrafast electronic devices and in quantum computing.
Queen Mary, University of London
Superconductors Current Events and Superconductors News RSSQuantum gas microscope offers glimpse of quirky ultracold atoms
Physicists at Harvard University have created a quantum gas microscope that can be used to observe single atoms at temperatures so low the particles follow the rules of quantum mechanics, behaving in bizarre ways.
Putting a Strain on Nanowires Could Yield Colossal Results
In finally answering an elusive scientific question, researchers with the U.S. Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) have shown that the selective placement of strain can alter the electronic phase and its spatial arrangement in correlated electron materials.
Atoms don't dance the 'bose nova'
Hanns-Christoph Naegerl's research group has investigated how ultracold quantum gases behave in lower spatial dimensions. They successfully realized an exotic state, where, due to the laws of quantum mechanics, atoms align along a one-dimensional structure.
Scientists detect 'fingerprint' of high-temp superconductivity above transition temperature
A team of U.S. and Japanese scientists has shown for the first time that the spectroscopic "fingerprint" of high-temperature superconductivity remains intact well above the super chilly temperatures at which these materials carry current with no resistance.
Superconductivity: Which one of these is not like the other?
Superconductivity appears to rely on very different mechanisms in two varieties of iron-based superconductors.
Discovery at UAB brings us nearer to making the dream of invisibility true
A group of researchers from the Department of Physics at UAB have designed a device, called a dc metamaterial, which makes objects invisible under certain light - very low frequency electromagnetic waves - by making the inside of the magnetic field zero but not altering the exterior field.
NIST discovers how strain at grain boundaries suppresses high-temperature superconductivity
Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have discovered that a reduction in mechanical strain at the boundaries of crystal grains can significantly improve the performance of high-temperature superconductors (HTS).
New Exotic Material Could Revolutionize Electronics
Move over, silicon-it may be time to give the Valley a new name. Physicists at the Department of Energy's (DOE) SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and Stanford University have confirmed the existence of a type of material that could one day provide dramatically faster, more efficient computer chips.
Thinnest superconducting metal created
A superconducting sheet of lead only two atoms thick, the thinnest superconducting metal layer ever created, has been developed by physicists at The University of Texas at Austin.
New element found to be a superconductor
Of the 92 naturally occurring elements, add another to the list of those that are superconductors.
More Superconductors Current Events and Superconductors News Articles
 |
Introduction to Superconductivity: Second Edition (Dover Books on Physics) (Vol i) by Michael Tinkham (Author) Accessible to graduate students and experimental physicists, this volume emphasizes physical arguments and minimizes theoretical formalism. Topics include the Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer and Ginzburg-Landau theories, magnetic properties of classic type II superconductors, the Josephson effect, fluctuation effects in classic superconductors, high-temperature superconductors, and nonequilibrium superconductivity. 109 figures. 1996 edition. |
 |
Economy Superconductivity Kit by Arbor Scientific Our superconductivity kit features a large superconductive disc formulated from the oxides of Yttrium, Barium, and Copper in the famous 1-2-3 chemical combination. The disc has a critical temperature of 92 degrees Kelvin. Chill the disc to 77 degrees Kelvin with liquid nitrogen and it produces a striking Meissner Effect (magnetic levitation) when the neodymium magnet is introduced. Kit Includes: One Super Conductive Disc (1" dia. x 1/8") One Neodymium Magnet (1/8" dia. x 1/8") One Petri Dish Cover Low Temperature Plastic Forceps Instructions & Safety Precautions |
 |
Voltage Superconductor by Voltage Security, Inc. If you are interested in the underpinnings of enterprise security, cryptography or how security and usability are intimately connected - this blog will make you happyKindle blogs are fully downloaded onto your Kindle so you can read them even when you're not wirelessly connected. And unlike RSS readers which often only provide headlines, blogs on Kindle give you full text content and images, and are updated wirelessly throughout the day. |
 |
Superconductor Jasen Tamiia (Primary Contributor) |
 |
Theory of Fluctuations in Superconductors (The International Series of Monographs on Physics) by Anatoly Larkin (Author), Andrei Varlamov (Author) This book presents a complete encyclopaedia of superconducting fluctuations, summarising the last thirty-five years of work in the field. The first part of the book is devoted to an extended discussion of the Ginzburg-Landau phenomenology of fluctuations in its thermodynamical and time-dependent versions and its various applications. The second part deals with microscopic justification of the Ginzburg-Landau approach and presents the diagrammatic theory of fluctuations. The third part is devoted to a less-detailed review of the manifestation of fluctuations in observables: diamagnetism, magnetoconductivity, various tunneling characteristics, thermoelectricity, and NMR relaxation. The final chapters turn to the manifestation of fluctuations in unconventional superconducting systems:... |
 |
Hit Songs for Girls by Superconductor |
 |
Avanti Superconductor Refrigerator - Black/ Stainless Steel (1.7 cu. ft.) by Avanti Energy efficient thermoelectric non-compressor system 1.7 cu. ft. capacity with solid components and no vibrationFull-range temperature control Reversible doorleft or right swingSlide-out shelveseach holds two 2-liter bottles (not included)Soft interior light with on/off switch17" W x 20 1/4" H x 19" D, weighs 27 lbs. |
|
SciEd Basic Superconductivity Levitation Kit; Complete Demonstration Kit by Colorado Superconductor Kit, Basic Superconductivity Levitation, demonstrates Meissner Effect and Low Friction Magnetic Bearings | |
|
The Solid State: From Superconductors to Superalloys (International Union of Crystallography Texts on Crystallography, No 1) by Andre Guinier (Author), Remi Jullien (Author), W. J. Duffin (Translator) Here is a clear, non-mathematical introduction to a rapidly developing area of physics. The volume provides scientists, students, teachers, and research workers with wide-ranging information on how models can be used to explain the macroscopic properties of solids. It includes full-chapter guidance on thermal properties, electrical properties, and the behavior of electrons in metals, semiconductors, and superconductors. Magnetic properties are given proper consideration, and mechanical properties such as plasticity, dislocation, and diffusion are covered. In addition, detailed mathematical treatments are presented in easy-to-use boxed sections for those who wish to study the subject in greater depth. | |
|
|
Complete Superconductivity Kit by Arbor Scientific Our superconductivity kit features a large superconductive disc formulated from the oxides of Yttrium, Barium, and Copper in the famous 1-2-3 chemical combination. The disc has a critical temperature of 92 degrees Kelvin. Chill the disc to 77 degrees Kelvin with liquid nitrogen and it produces a striking Meissner Effect (magnetic levitation) when the neodymium magnet is introduced. Kit Includes: One Super Conductive Disc (1" dia. x 1/8") One Neodymium Magnet (1/8" dia. x 1/8") One Petri Dish Cover Low Temperature Plastic Forceps One Thermos container, Gloves & Goggles Instructions & Safety Precautions |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |