Superconductivity - Solid State Physics - Physics Previous Year Questions

1

2007 · Physics · Solid State Physics · Superconductivity

Physics (PH) 2007

A solid superconductor is placed in an external magnetic field and then cooled below its critical temperature. The superconductor

A

retains its magnetic flux because the surface current supports it.

B

expels out its magnetic flux because it behaves like a paramagnetic material.

C

expels out its magnetic flux because it behaves like an anti-ferromagnetic material.

D

expels out its magnetic flux because the surface current induces a field in the direction opposite to the applied magnetic field.

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2

2009 · Physics · Solid State Physics · Superconductivity

Physics (PH) 2009

A superconducting ring is cooled in the presence of a magnetic field below its critical temperature (Tc). The total magnetic flux that passes through the ring is

A

zero

B

\(n \frac{h}{2e} \)

C

\(\frac{nh}{4\pi e} \)

D

\(\frac{ne^2}{hc} \)

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3

2010 · Physics · Solid State Physics · Superconductivity

Physics (PH) 2010

The thermal conductivity of a given material reduces when it undergoes a transition from its normal state to the superconducting state. The reason is:

A

The Cooper pairs cannot transfer energy to the lattice

B

Upon the formation of Cooper pairs, the lattice becomes less efficient in heat transfer

C

The electrons in the normal state lose their ability to transfer heat because of their coupling to the Cooper pairs

D

The heat capacity increases on transition to the superconducting state leading to a reduction in thermal conductivity

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4

2011 · Physics · Solid State Physics · Superconductivity

Physics (PH) 2011

The order of magnitude of the energy gap of a typical superconductor is

A

1 MeV

B

1 KeV

C

1 eV

D

1 meV

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5

2013 · Physics · Solid State Physics · Superconductivity

Physics (PH) 2013

Considering the BCS theory of superconductors, which one of the following statements is NOT CORRECT? (\hbar is the Planck's constant and e is the electronic charge)

A

Presence of energy gap at temperatures below the critical temperature

B

Different critical temperatures for isotopes

C

Quantization of magnetic flux in superconducting ring in the unit of (\frac{\hbar}{e})

D

Presence of Meissner effect

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6

2014 · Physics · Solid State Physics · Superconductivity

Physics (PH) 2014

The plot of specific heat versus temperature across the superconducting transition temperature (\(T_c\)) is most appropriately represented by

A

Graph A: A graph of Cp vs T showing a sharp peak at Tc.

B

Graph B: A graph of Cp vs T showing a sudden drop after Tc.

C

Graph C: A graph of Cp vs T showing a gradual increase and then a plateau.

D

Graph D: A graph of Cp vs T showing a sharp peak at Tc.

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7

2015 · Physics · Solid State Physics · Superconductivity

Physics (PH) 2015

Which one of the following represents the electron occupancy for a superconductor in its normal and superconducting states?

A

B

C

D

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8

2018 · Physics · Solid State Physics · Superconductivity

Physics (PH) 2018

Amongst electrical resistivity (\(\rho\)), thermal conductivity (\(\kappa\)), specific heat (\(C\)), Young’s modulus (\(Y\)), and magnetic susceptibility (\(\chi\)), which quantities show a sharp change at the superconducting transition temperature?

A

\(\rho, \kappa, C, Y\)

B

\(\rho, C, \chi\)

C

\(\rho, \kappa, C, \chi\)

D

\(\kappa, Y, \chi\)

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9

2019 · Physics · Solid State Physics · Superconductivity

Physics (PH) 2019

The relative magnetic permeability of a type-I superconductor is

A

0

B

−1

C

2π

D

1/(4π)

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10

2019 · Physics · Solid State Physics · Superconductivity

Physics (PH) 2019

A conventional type-I superconductor has a critical temperature of 4.7 K at zero magnetic field and a critical magnetic field of 0.3 Tesla at 0 K. The critical field in Tesla at 2 K (rounded off to three decimal places) is __________

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11

2024 · Physics · Solid State Physics · Superconductivity

Physics (PH) 2024

A material behaves as a superconductor below a critical temperature $T_c$ and as a normal conductor above $T_c$. A magnetic field $\vec{B} = B \hat{z}$ is applied when $T > T_c$. The material is then cooled below $T_c$ in the presence of $\vec{B}$. Which of the following figure represent the correct configuration of magnetic field lines?

A

Figure (A)

B

Figure (B)

C

Figure (C)

D

Figure (D)

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12

2025 · Physics · Solid State Physics · Superconductivity

Physics (PH) 2025

Which of the following option(s) is/are correct for a Type I superconductor?

A

The phase transition to the normal state in the absence of a magnetic field is of second order

B

With increase in temperature, the critical magnetic field decreases linearly to zero

C

Below the critical temperature, the entropy in the superconducting state is less than that in the normal state

D

The phase transition to the normal state in the presence of a magnetic field is of first order

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13

2026 · Physics · Solid State Physics · Superconductivity

Physics (PH) 2026

Consider a metal-superconductor junction connected to a dc voltage \(V\). At \(T < T_c\), where \(T_c\) is the superconductor's transition temperature, the current \(I\) versus \(V\) behavior of this junction is shown schematically in the figure below. If the superconducting energy gap is \(D\) meV. The value of \(D\) (rounded off to one decimal place) is _______

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