Preface. 1. Phenomenology; 2. The BCS theory; 3. Thermodynamics of the BCS theory; 4. Response to an external perturbation; 5. Macroscopic effects; 6. Ginzburg–Landau theory; 7. Bose–Einstein condensation; 8. The BEC-BCS crossover; 9. Strong coupling superconductivity. Appendix. References. Index.
Comprehensive and self-contained account of the physical foundations of superconductivity and related recent developments in the field.
Roland Combescot is Professor Emeritus in Physics at École Normale Supérieure (ENS) and Sorbonne Université (formerly Université Pierre et Marie Curie) in Paris, and has been a member of l'Institut Universitaire de France (IUF) since 2005. He has an outstanding research and publication record in the area of superconductivity and superfluidity, including nearly thirty articles published in the influential journal, Physical Review Letters. He has taught a course on the theory of superconductivity to MSc students at ENS for over twenty years.
'A solid, down-to-earth book which presents the essentials of the
BCS theory of superconductivity without relying on advanced formal
techniques; it is particularly good at getting across difficult
points in informal terms, and in making contact with experiments
where needed. Distinguishing features include substantial
discussions of the ultracold atomic gases, and of the
Eliashberg-based theory of strong coupling superconductivity in a
form where it may be applicable to the nearly-room-temperature
metallic hydrides. It should be a useful basis for courses for
advanced undergraduates or graduate students not specialized in the
topic.' Prof. Anthony J. Leggett, University of Illinois
Urbana-Champaign
'This is an excellent introductory textbook on superconductivity.
It starts with a description of the basic phenomena, follows the
sequence of historical discoveries and describes the various models
proposed to explain them and to predict new effects. From chapter
to chapter, Roland Combescot exposes in simple and elegant terms
the quantum subtleties of superconductivity, develops step-by-step
the various theoretical approaches and illustrates them with deep
physical interpretations of the equations. The connection between
condensed matter and cold atom physics is particularly interesting,
with an illuminating description of the cross-over between the BEC
and the BCS regimes of degenerate fermionic gases. This
development, which shows that similar phenomena occur in very
disparate systems, illustrates the deep unity of physics. This
textbook will interest readers familiar with basic quantum physics
and curious to understand the theory of superconductivity, as well
as those interested in its various technological applications. It
is a simple and particularly clear introduction for undergraduate
and graduate students. I believe that it will also serve as a
useful guide for teachers of a field of physics which – having been
active for more than a century – still raises unanswered questions
and promises new surprises.' Prof. Serge Haroche, Ecole Normale
Supérieure and Collège de France
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