How Does the London Moment Behave Near a Spinning Superconductor's Surface?

In summary: London Moment, which comprises the superconducting electrons. This field has been observed to start at the surface of the SC and fade away in a few penetration lengths, exactly as though it were an exterior field being applied to a stationary SC. This is in line with A's statement.B is incorrect because the London Moment is not a "normal" magnetic field and does not exhibit the same behavior as a "normal" field. It does not start fading away above the spinning surface, but rather starts at the surface and fades away in a few penetration lengths. This has been observed in various experiments and is the generally accepted behavior of the London Moment field approaching the surface of a spinning SC.
  • #1
Zymandia
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What does the field of the London Moment do as it approaches the surface of the spinning SC?
A: Continue to the surface undiminished then fade away in a few penetration lengths, exactly as though it were an exterior field being applied to a stationary SC.
B: Start fading away a few penetration lengths above the spinning surface so that at the surface there is no registered field.

B seems unlikely (so anything to do with SCs is likely?), but it seems to be what some texts suggest.

I've found all sorts of theory but no clear, concise description of the phenomena.

References to authoritative observations of this, one way or the other, would be most appreciated.
 
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  • #2
Zymandia said:
What does the field of the London Moment do as it approaches the surface of the spinning SC?
A: Continue to the surface undiminished then fade away in a few penetration lengths, exactly as though it were an exterior field being applied to a stationary SC.
B: Start fading away a few penetration lengths above the spinning surface so that at the surface there is no registered field.


Neither A or B is correct.

The London Moment is basically a "reversal" of the Meissner efect, producing a dipole field which permeates throughout the SC interior, axially symmetric with the axis of rotation, the magnitude of which is directly proportional to the angular velocity, and the dipole extends around the exterior like a "normal" magnetic field, the magnetic flux of which is quantized in units of h/2e.

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FAQ: How Does the London Moment Behave Near a Spinning Superconductor's Surface?

1. What is a London moment configuration?

A London moment configuration refers to the arrangement of a magnetic dipole moment in a superconductor, which results in a zero energy state. This configuration was discovered by Fritz London in 1935 and is also known as a Meissner state.

2. How does a London moment configuration occur?

A London moment configuration occurs when a magnetic field is applied to a superconductor, causing the superconductor to expel the magnetic field due to the Meissner effect. This creates a circulating current, known as a London moment, that generates a magnetic field that cancels out the applied field.

3. What are the properties of a London moment configuration?

The properties of a London moment configuration include a zero resistance state, perfect diamagnetism, and a complete expulsion of an applied magnetic field. This configuration is a key characteristic of superconductors and is important in various applications such as magnetic levitation and MRI machines.

4. What are the applications of a London moment configuration?

The applications of a London moment configuration include magnetic levitation, which is used in high-speed trains and maglev trains, and in MRI machines for medical imaging. It is also used in superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) for highly sensitive measurements of magnetic fields.

5. Can a London moment configuration be manipulated?

Yes, a London moment configuration can be manipulated by changing the temperature or the strength of the applied magnetic field. It can also be manipulated by changing the material of the superconductor or by introducing defects in the material. Researchers are continually exploring ways to control and utilize London moment configurations for various applications.

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