Thermodynamical treatment

superconducting phase than for the normal phase, provided that the magnetic field is below the critical field. There are three cases:

369

(i)

(ii) (iii)

lf H < Hc lf H > Hc If H : Hc

then Go then

> Gr(11). Gn < G"(H).

(t4.23)
(14.24)

then Gn

: Gr(fl.).

(14.2s)

Now our substance will prefer the phase for which the Gibbs free energy is smaller; that is in case (i) it will be in the superconducting phase, in case (ii) in the normal phase, and in case (iii) just in the process of transition. If the transition takes place at temperature, T + dT, and magnetic field, Hc + dHc, then it must still be valid that

G.
whence

* dG' : Gn*
dG'

dGn,

(14.26)

:66n.
psV MndHs.

(14.27)

This, using eqn (14.15), leads to

-S.

d7"

FoV MrdHg

: -S" df -

{r4.28)

But. as suggested before,

Ms:-Hc and Mn:0,

and this reduces eqn (14.28) to
Sn

(t4.29)

S,

-- --1tsV Hc dT

dH"
.

14.30)

The latent heat of ffansition may be written in the form,

l:Z(Sn-Sr),
and with the aid of eqn (14.30) this may be expressed as

(r4.31)

l-

-psTV

dHr"i

(r4.32)

After much labour we have, at last, arrived at a useful relationship. We now have a theory that connects the independently measurable quantities L,V , H", and T. After measuring them, determining dHcldT from the H" - T plot, and substituting their values into eqn (14.32), the equation should be satisfied; and it is satisfied to a good approximation thus giving us experimental proof that we are on the right track. It is interesting to note that L vanishes at two extremes of temperature, namely, at T : 0 and at T : Tc where the critical magnetic field is zero. Atransition which takes place with no latent heat is called a second-order phase transition. In this transition entropy remains constant, and the specific heat is
discontinuous.