London Equations:
As discussed in the Meissner effect that one of the conditions of the superconducting state is that Magnetic flux density (B) = 0 inside the superconductors that is the magnetic flux cannot penetrate inside the superconductor. But experimentally it is not so. The magnetic flux does not suddenly drop to zero inside the surface. The phenomenon of flux penetration inside the superconductors was explained by H. London and F. London.
Derivation of London first equation:
Let ns and vs be the number density (number/volume) and velocity of superconducting electrons respectively. The equation of motion or acceleration of electrons in the superconducting state is given by
m(dvs/dt) = -eE
or dvs/dt = -eE/m (1)
where m is the mass of electrons and e is the charge on the electrons.
Also the current density is given by
Js = -nsevs
Differentiate it with respect to time,
dJs/dt = -nse(dvs/dt)
Put equation (1) in above equation, we get
dJs/dt = (nse2 E)/m (2)
Equation (2) is known as London’s first equation
Derivation of London second equation: Continue reading “London equations in superconductors: derivation and discussion”