Thermodynamic inconsistency of the conventional theory of superconductivity

Abstract

A type I superconductor expels a magnetic field from its interior to a surface layer of thickness ${\lambda }_L$, the London penetration depth. ${\lambda }_L$ is a function of temperature, becoming smaller as the temperature decreases. Here we analyze the process of cooling (or heating) a type I superconductor in a magnetic field, with the system remaining always in the superconducting state. The conventional theory predicts that Joule heat is generated in this process, the amount of which depends on the rate at which the temperature changes. Assuming the final state of the superconductor is independent of history, as the conventional theory assumes, we show that this process violates the first and second laws of thermodynamics. We conclude that the conventional theory of superconductivity is internally inconsistent. Instead, we suggest that the alternative theory of hole superconductivity may be able to resolve this problem.

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References in corpus (2)

• Momentum of superconducting electrons and the explanation of the Meissner effect
• Entropy generation and momentum transfer in the superconductor-normal and normal-superconductor phase transformations and the consistency of the conventional theory of superconductivity

Cited by in corpus (8)

• The law of entropy increase and the Meissner effect
• Dynamic processes in superconductors and the laws of thermodynamics
• Joule heating in the normal-superconductor phase transition in a magnetic field
• Belief in thermodynamics has provoked false thermodynamics of superconductors
• A problem with the conservation law observed in macroscopic quantum phenomena is a consequence of violation of the correspondence principle
• Comment on "Reversible superconducting-normal phase transition in a magnetic field and the existence of topologically protected loop currents that appear and disappear without Joule heating" by Hiroyasu Koizumi
• Energy conservation and reversibility during thermodynamic changes of state in superconductors: Joule heat vs. magnetocaloric cooling
• Comment on "Inconsistency of the conventional theory of superconductivity" by J.E. Hirsch