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Superconductivity

Superconductivity is a phenomenon where certain materials exhibit zero electrical resistance and expel magnetic fields when cooled below their critical temperature. This property was discovered in 1911 and allows for many applications including more efficient power transmission, advanced medical imaging using MRI, particle accelerators like the LHC, high-speed maglev transportation, and quantum computing. Research continues to find new superconducting materials with higher critical temperatures and develop practical uses that could transform industries and technology.

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Hafiztayyab Ali
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29 views2 pages

Superconductivity

Superconductivity is a phenomenon where certain materials exhibit zero electrical resistance and expel magnetic fields when cooled below their critical temperature. This property was discovered in 1911 and allows for many applications including more efficient power transmission, advanced medical imaging using MRI, particle accelerators like the LHC, high-speed maglev transportation, and quantum computing. Research continues to find new superconducting materials with higher critical temperatures and develop practical uses that could transform industries and technology.

Uploaded by

Hafiztayyab Ali
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Superconductivity is a fascinating phenomenon in which certain materials exhibit zero electrical

resistance and expel magnetic fields when cooled below a specific temperature called the
critical temperature. This remarkable property, discovered in 1911 by Dutch physicist Heike
Kamerlingh Onnes, has opened up a world of possibilities in various fields, from energy
transmission to medical imaging.

Key characteristics of superconductors:

1. Zero electrical resistance: Superconductors offer perfect conductivity, meaning they can
carry an electric current indefinitely without any energy loss. This is in stark contrast to
ordinary conductors, where resistance causes the dissipation of electrical energy as heat.
2. Magnetic field expulsion: A unique property of superconductors is their ability to expel
magnetic fields from their interior. This phenomenon, known as the Meissner effect, results
in a superconductor becoming completely diamagnetic, effectively repelling external
magnetic fields.
3. Critical temperature: Superconductivity is not an inherent property of materials; it only
occurs below a specific temperature called the critical temperature (Tc). For different
superconductors, Tc values can range from a few Kelvin to around 130 Kelvin (-143°C).

Applications of superconductors:

1. Power transmission: Superconducting cables could revolutionize power transmission


systems by minimizing energy losses during electricity transport. This would lead to more
efficient and cost-effective power grids.
2. Medical imaging: Superconducting electromagnets (SCMs) used in Magnetic Resonance
Imaging (MRI) machines produce strong magnetic fields that allow for detailed images of
the human body. SCMs are also used in Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) for
studying biochemical processes in vivo.
3. Particle accelerators: Superconductors play a crucial role in particle accelerators, such
as the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), by providing the intense magnetic fields required to
guide and collide high-energy particles.
4. High-speed transportation: Superconducting maglev (magnetic levitation) trains utilize
the levitation effect of magnets to achieve high speeds without friction, offering a promising
alternative to conventional rail transportation.
5. Quantum computing: Superconducting qubits are a leading candidate for realizing
quantum computers, which hold the potential to revolutionize computation by solving
problems that are intractable for classical computers.

Future of superconductivity:

Research in superconductivity continues to explore new materials and techniques to achieve


higher critical temperatures and develop practical applications. The potential benefits of
superconductivity are immense, and ongoing advancements promise to transform various
industries and shape the future of technology.

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