Superconductivity And Localization

This book presents a review of theoretical and experimental work on the problem of the interplay of Anderson localization and superconductivity in strongly disordered systems. Superconductivity persists close to disorder-induced metal-insulator transition in a number of real systems, e.g. amorphous metals and compounds, systems disordered by fast neutron irradiation, systems with impurities, etc. High temperature superconductors are especially interesting from this point of view, as the experiments with controllable disordering may provide important clues to the nature of electronic states in these systems.The book starts with a brief discussion on modern aspects of localization theory, including the basic concept of scaling, self-consistent theory of localization and interaction effects. After that it analyzes disorder effects on Cooper pairing and superconductivity transition temperature as well as Ginzburg-Landau equations for superconductors that are close to the Anderson transition. A necessary generalization of the usual theory of dirty superconductors is formulated which allows one to analyze anomalies of the main superconducting properties close to disorder-induced metal-insulator transition. Finally, the book reviews a number of experiments demonstrating superconductivity close to the Anderson transition, in both traditional and high c superconductors."

This book presents a review of theoretical and experimental work on the problem of the interplay of Anderson localization and superconductivity in strongly disordered systems. Superconductivity persists close to disorder-induced metal-insulator transition in a number of real systems, e.g. amorphous metals and compounds, systems dis-ordered by fast neutron irradiation, systems with impurities, etc. High temperature superconductors are especially interesting from this point of view, as the experiments with controllable disordering may provide important clues to the nature of electronic states in these systems. The book starts with a brief discussion on modern aspects of localization theory, including the basic concept of scaling, self-consistent theory of localization and interaction effects. After that it analyzes disorder effects on Cooper pairing and superconductivity transition temperature as well as Ginzburg-Landau equations for superconductors that are close to the Anderson transition. A necessary generalization of the usual theory of dirty superconductors is formulated which allows one to analyze anomalies of the main superconducting properties close to disorder-induced metal-insulator transition. Finally, the book reviews a number of experiments demonstrating superconductivity close to the Anderson transition, in both traditional and high T(c) superconductors.

The study of the effects of dimensional ity and disorder on phase transitions, electronic transport, and superconductivity has become an important field of research in condensed matter physics. These effects are both classical and quantum mechanical in nature and are observed universally in urealu materials. What may at first glance seem a diverse collection of lectures which form the chapters of these proceedings is in fact, an attempt to demon strate the commonality, inter-relationship, and general applica bility of the phenomena of localization, percolation, and macro scopic quantum effects on electrical transport and superconduc tivity in disordered solids. The theory of these phenomena is presented in a complete, yet, self-contained fashion and the inter-relationship between the topics is emphasized. An extensive treatment of experimental results is also included, both those which have stimulated the theory as well as those that have confirmed it. Many of the phenomena investigated in this field also have technological significance. For example, the nature of electronic localization in metals in which one or more dimensions are con strained is very important when one attempts to predict the be havior of the metallic interconnects in ultra-miniature circuits.

The phenomenon of localization of the electronic wave function in a random medium can be regarded as the key manifestation of quantum coherence in a condensed matter system. As one of the most remarkable phenomena in condensed matter physics discovered in the 20th century, the localization problem is an indispensable part of the theory of the quantum Hall effects and rivals superconductivity in its significance as a manifestation of quantum coherence at a macroscopic scale. The present volume, written by some of the leading experts in the field, is intended to highlight some of the recent progress in the field of localization, with particular emphasis on the effect of interactions on quantum coherence. The chapters are written in textbook style and should serve as a reliable and thorough introduction for advanced students or researchers already working in the field of mesoscopic physics.