On the remarkable structure of the superconducting intermediate state
Abstract
If a large square plate of a type I superconductor is placed in a perpendicular magnetic field, the field will penetrate it in a pattern of domains. The intermediate-state problem is to predict this pattern. In the critical Ginzburg-Landau theory, the horizontal and momentum directions of the plate are essentially Fourier conjugate coordinates, like position and momentum in quantum mechanics. Thus, the intermediate state allows us a rare direct glimpse of quantum phase space. It is also demonstrated that, although Landau's (1937) textbook model is inconsistent with the Ginzburg-Landau equations, its qualitative nature is correct. Elongated structures consistent with a complete spontaneous breakdown of discrete rotational invariance are predicted. Comments with regard to lattice Higgs simulations are also made.
- Publication:
-
Nuclear Physics B
- Pub Date:
- November 1990
- DOI:
- 10.1016/0550-3213(90)90672-Z
- Bibcode:
- 1990NuPhB.344..627C