Chapter 9

Ginzburg-Landau theory
 The limit of London theory
B
The London equation ∇×J = −
µ0 λ 2
The London theory is plausible when
1. The penetration depth is the dominant length scale
λ l mean free path λ ξ0 coherent length

2. The field is small and can be treated as a perturbation

3. ns is nearly constant everywhere

The coherent length should be included in a new theory

 Ginzburg-Landau theory
1. A macroscopic theory
2. A phenomenological theory
3. A quantum theory London theory is classical

Introduction of pseudo wave function Ψ (r )

Ψ (r )
2
is the local density of superconducting electrons

Ψ (r ) = ns2 (r )
2
 The free energy density
The difference of free energy density for normal state and superconducting
state can be written as powers of Ψ 2 and ∇Ψ 2

potential energy Kinetic energy

Ginzburg-Landau free energy density at zero field

β
2
1
gs = gn + α Ψ + Ψ + ∇Ψ
2 4
*
2 2m i

2nd order phase transition Quantum mechanics

 2nd order phase transition
β
U =α Ψ + Ψ
2 4
Potential energy
2
A reasonable theory is bounded, i. e. U ( Ψ → ∞ ) → ∞
β >0
Classical solutions

U U

Ψ Ψ
Ψ=0

α > 0 Single well α < 0 double well

 Spontaneous symmetry breaking
U
The phase symmetry of the ground
state wave function is broken

Ψ Ψ = Ψ eiϕ
α
Ψ = Ψ ∞2 = −
2

β
α >0 α =0 α <0
Ψ=0 Ψ≠0
Normal state Critical point superconducting state
Ψ
2
density of superconducting electrons
 The meaning of α
The superconducting critical point is α =0 α
α >0 α =0 α <0 t
t=1
T > Tc T = Tc T < Tc

Near the critical point, α = α ′ ( t − 1) T

t=
If β is regular near Tc then α′ Tc
Ψ = − ( t − 1)
2

βc

m
The London penetration depth is λL2 =
µ0 ns e2
1
⎛1⎞ 2
1 Consistent with the observation
λL ∝ ⎜ ⎟ ∝
λL (T )
(1 − t ) 2 1
1
⎝ s⎠
n =
λL (0) 1 − t 4 12
( )
 Magnetic field contribution
at non zero field, there are two modifications

p → p − e* A The vector potential

B = ∇× A

1
∆g = µ0 H 2 For perfect diamagnetism
2
Ha

∆g ( H a ) = − µ0 ∫ MdH a
0
 The canonical momentum
The first modification is to include the hamiltonian of a charged particle in a
magnetic field
∂
E = −∇φ − A
∂t
B = ∇× A

t
For a charged paticle, mv(t ) = mv (0) + q ∫ Εdt
0

= mv (0) − qA

mv(t ) + qA = mv(0) is conserved in the magnetic field

The canonical momentum is chosen as p canonical = mv + qA

1 2 1
= ( − )
2
The kinetic energy is mv p canonical qA
2 2m
 Gauge transformation
A → A ′ = A + ∇χ E = −∇φ −
∂
A
∂ ∂t
′
φ →φ =φ − χ B = ∇× A
∂t
The physics is unchanged
The phase of the particle wave function will be changed by a phase factor
⎛ ie ⎞
Ψ (r ) → Ψ ′(r ) = Ψ (r ) exp ⎜ χ ⎟
⎝ ⎠
⎧ ⎛ ie ⎞ ⎫ 1
( ′ ) ′ ( ′ )⎨ χ H= ( p − eA ) + U
2
p − eA Ψ (r ) = −i ∇ − eA Ψ exp ⎜ ⎟⎬
⎩ ⎝ ⎠⎭ 2m
⎛ ie ⎞ H Ψ = H ′Ψ′
= exp ⎜ χ ⎟ {( −i ∇ − eA′ ) Ψ + ( ∇χ ) Ψ}
⎝ ⎠
⎛ ie ⎞
= exp ⎜ χ ⎟ ( −i ∇ − eA ) Ψ
⎝ ⎠
Comment: not all theory are gauge-invariant, the theory keeps gauge-invariance is called
a gauge theory
 The meaning of |Ψ|2
Energy density
2 2
1 ⎛ * ⎞ 1 ⎛ ⎞ iϕ
⎜ ∇ − e A ⎟ Ψ = ⎜ ∇ Ψ + Ψ ∇ ϕ − e*
AΨ ⎟e
2m ⎝ i
*
⎠ 2m ⎝ i
*
⎠
Im. part Real part
with Ψ = Ψ eiϕ
=
1
2m*
{ 2
( ∇ Ψ ) + ( ∇ϕ − e A ) Ψ
2 * 2 2
}
•The first term arises when the number density ns has a non-
zero gradient, for example near the N-S boundary
(the length scale is coherent length ξ, and in type I SC, ξ<<λ)
•The second term is the kinetic term associated with the
supercurrent. If the phase is constant of position, it gives
*2
e A Ψ2 2

=
2m*
 Penetration near the N-S boundary
Near the surface, the magnetic induction is z
Bz ( x ) ∼ Bz ( 0 ) e x λ for x<0
B = ∇× A B(x)
y Ha
Choose the gauge
∂Ay
Ay ( x ) = λ Bz ( x ) Bz ( x ) = − x
∂x super
We found the energy density
normal
*2
e A2 Ψ e λ 2 B2 Ψ
*2
2 2

*
=
2m 2 m*
B2
Should be equal to the field energy density
2 µ0
* *
m m
λ 2 = *2 From London’s theory λ 2
= 2
e µ0 Ψ e* µ0 nS
2
 ⎛1 * 2⎞
Kinetic energy density= S ⎜ m vS ⎟
n
⎝2 ⎠
The supercurrent velocity= m* v S = p S − e* A
= ∇ϕ − e* A
For ∇ϕ = 0
2
eA
* While in GL theory, the
⎛1 * 2⎞
nS ⎜ m vS ⎟ = nS energy density e*2 A2 Ψ 2
⎝2 ⎠ 2m* =
2m*
nS = Ψ
2

The meaning of the wavefunction Ψ

 GL theory and London theory
µ0
In bulk superconductors gs − gn = − H C2
2
β
= α Ψ∞ + Ψ∞
2 4

2
α2
=−
2β
−α
nS = Ψ ∞ =
2
In previous discussion, we have(in bulk)
β
m* − µ0 H − µ e λ 2 H C2
2 2 *2
with λ =
2
we have α= = C 0
e µ0 nS
*2
nS m*

µ e λ 4 H C2
3 *4
β= 0
*2
m
The temperature dependences near critical point
T
Near the critical point λ ∝ 1 t=
1− t4 TC
m*
Ψ ∞ = nS = 2 ∝ 1− t4 1− t
2

e* µ0 λ 2 ε →0
1 − t 4 = 1 − (1 − ε ) 1 − (1 − 4ε ) 4ε = 4 (1 − t )
4

HC H C ( 0 ) (1 − t 2 )

α ∝λ H ∝2 2 (1 − t ) ( 2ε )
2 2 2

1− t
1− t 4ε
C 4

β ∝ λ 4 H C2 ∝
(1− t ) 2 2
( 2ε )
2

= constant of t
(1 − t ) ( 4ε )
4 2 2

Parameters in GL theory can be determined by λ(T) and HC(T)

 GL differential eqns
The solution for minimizing gs in absence of the field,
boundary and current is
Ψ = Ψ∞
In general cases, the wavefunction can be written as
Ψ = Ψ (r )

By variational method δ ∫ g S dV = 0
V
2
1 ⎛ ⎞
αΨ + β Ψ Ψ + * ⎜ ∇ − e A ⎟ Ψ = 0 (1st eq)
We have 2 *

2m ⎝ i ⎠
*2
e*
* ( ) e
J= Ψ ∇Ψ − Ψ∇Ψ − Ψ
2
* *
*
A (2nd eq)
2m i m
e*
= * ( ∇ϕ − e* A ) Ψ = e* Ψ v S
2 2

m
 Derivation for GL eqns
δ ∫ g dV = 0S
V

gs is a function of Ψ and ∇Ψ ≡ ( ∂1Ψ , ∂ 2 Ψ , ∂ 3Ψ )

With boundary conditions, i.e ΨΩ =0 or ∇Ψ Ω = 0
∂g S ∂g S
− ∑ ∂i =0
∂ ( ∂i Ψ )
Euler-Lagrange eq.
∂Ψ i
∂g S ∂g S
− ∑ ∂i =0
∂Ψ ∂ ( ∂i Ψ )
* *
i
2
β 4 1 ⎛ ⎞ B2
gs = gn + α Ψ + Ψ + ∇ −e A⎟Ψ + − µ0 M ⋅ H
2 *
* ⎜
2 2m ⎝ i ⎠ 2 µ0
∂g S −e* A ⎛ ⎞
= αΨ + β Ψ Ψ + ⋅ ∇ −e A⎟Ψ
2 *
* ⎜
∂Ψ *
2m ⎝ i ⎠
 ∂g S −1 ⎛ ⎞ ⎛ ⎞
∑i i ∂ ( ∂ Ψ* ) 2m* ⎜⎝ i ⎟⎠ ∑i i ⎜⎝ i i
∂ = ∂ ∂ − e*
Ai ⎟Ψ
⎠
i

−1 ⎧⎪⎛ ⎫⎪
2
⎞ 2
= ⎨⎜ ⎟ ∇ Ψ − e A ⋅∇Ψ ⎬
*

2m* ⎪⎩⎝ i⎠ i ⎭⎪

−e* A ⎛ 1 ⎧⎪⎛ ⎫⎪
2
⎞ ⎞ 2
0 = αΨ + β Ψ Ψ + ⋅ ∇ −e A⎟Ψ + ⎟ ∇ Ψ − e A ⋅∇Ψ ⎬
2 * *
* ⎜ * ⎨⎜
2m ⎝ i ⎠ 2 m ⎪⎩⎝ i⎠ i ⎭⎪
1 ⎧⎪⎛ ⎫⎪
2
⎞ 2
= αΨ + β Ψ Ψ + *2 2
⎟ ∇ Ψ − 2 e A ⋅∇Ψ + e A Ψ ⎬
2 *
* ⎨⎜
2m ⎪⎩⎝ i⎠ i ⎪⎭
2
1 ⎛ ⎞
= αΨ + β Ψ Ψ + ∇ − ⎟ Ψ
2
* ⎜
e*
A
2m ⎝ i ⎠

First GL equation
 δ ∫ g S dV = 0
V
gs is a function of Α and ∇ × A = Β
With boundary conditions, i.e AΩ =0 or ∂ j Ai Ω
=0
∂g S ∂g S
− ∑ ∂i =0
∂ ( ∂ i Aj )
Euler-Lagrange eq.
∂Aj i

2
β
1 ⎛ ⎞ B 2
gs = gn + α Ψ + Ψ + ∇ − A⎟Ψ + − µ0 M ⋅ H
2 4 *
* ⎜
e
2 2m ⎝ i ⎠ 2 µ0

∂g S −e* ⎧⎪ * ⎛ ⎞ ⎛ ⎞ * ⎫⎪
= * ⎨
Ψ ⎜ ∇ −e A⎟ Ψ + Ψ⎜− ∇ − e A⎟ Ψ ⎬
* *

∂Aj 2m ⎪⎩ ⎝ i ⎠j ⎝ i ⎠j ⎭⎪
*2
−e ⎛
*
⎞ *
⎟( )
e Aj
= Ψ ∇Ψ − Ψ∇Ψ + Ψ
* 2
⎜
2m* ⎝ i⎠ j m*
 (∇ × A ) = ∑ε ε ( ∂ m An ) ( ∂ q Ar )
2
lmn lqr
lmnqr

∂g S 1 ∂ ( ∂ m An ) ( ∂ q Ar )
∑i ∂i ∂ ( ∂ A ) = 2µ ∑∑ε i lmnqr
ε ∂i
lmn lqr
∂ ( ∂ i Aj )
i j 0

=
1
2 µ0
∑∑ε i lmnqr
lmn lqr {
ε ∂ i δ miδ nj ( ∂ q Ar ) + δ qiδ rj ( ∂ m An ) }
1 1
=
µ0
∑∑ ε lmnε lij ∂i ( ∂ m An ) =
i lmn µ0
∑ε
i
ijl ∂ i ( ∇ × A )l

−1 1 1
= (∇ × ∇ × A ) j µ0
∇×∇× A =
µ0
∇×Β = J
µ0
*2
−e ⎛
*
⎞ * e A 2 1
0= ⎟( Ψ ∇Ψ − Ψ∇Ψ ) + Ψ + ∇×∇× A
*
⎜
2m* ⎝ i⎠ m*
µ0
2
e* *
A 2
* (
Ψ ∇Ψ − Ψ∇Ψ ) − * Ψ
e
J= * *
second GL equation
2m i m
 Boundary conditions
The GL eqns are derived by assuming boundary conditions that

⎛ ⎞ JΩ =0
⎜ ∇ − e A ⎟ Ψ = 0 and
*

⎝i ⎠ Ω
These are true for a SC-insulator boundary, but not correct for
an N-SC boundary
The boundary condition for N-SC is derived by de Gennes
using a microscopic theory:
SC normal
⎛ ⎞ i
⎜ ∇ − e*
A⎟Ψ = Ψ
⎝i ⎠ Ω b
b
Thus the wavefunction will “leak” into the normal region with
a characteristic length, b. This is called proximity effect.
 GL coherent length
At zero field, H=0
J=0 Ψ *∇Ψ − Ψ∇Ψ * = 0 and
∇ϕ = 0 Superconducting phase is constant of position
(GL eq 1) Ψ
2
f ≡
αΨ + β Ψ Ψ − * ∇ 2 Ψ = 0
2
Ψ∞
2m
α
In 1D system Ψ∞ ≡ −
2
β
d2
− * 2 f + α f + β Ψ∞ f 3 = 0
2

2m dx
2
d2
− * f + f − f 3
=0
2m α dx 2

Dimension=[L2]
 2
=ξ2
A length scale can be defined 2m* α
2
d
−ξ 2 2 f + f − f 3 = 0
dx

α ∝ 1− t 1
since ξ ∝
2

1− t
Consider the situation that f~1 (deep in the SC)
We can expand the GL eq: f = 1− g g 0
2
d
−ξ g + (1 + g ) − (1 + g ) = 0
2 3
2
dx
−ξ 2 g ′′ − 2 g = 0 g ( x) e± 2x ξ
 Exact solution
2
f + f (1 − f ) = 0
d
−ξ 2 2 2

dx
−u
e u
− e u=
x
The solution f = u − u = tanh u
e +e 2ξ
df 1 d2 f tanh u
with = = − 2
du cosh 2 u du 2 cosh 2 u
When u is large
eu (1 − e −2u )
f = tanh u =
eu (1 + e −2u ) f ≡
Ψ
Ψ∞
1
Slope= 2
= (1 − e −2u )(1 − e −2u + ) 1
2x ξ
1 − 2e −2u = 1 − 2e −

When u is small f = tanh u u = x x

2ξ
ξ
 Dimensionless GL parameter
− µ e λ 2 H C2
2 *2
α= 0
Φ0
m* ξ= =
2 2 µ0 e λ H C
*
2 2πµ0 H C λ
=ξ2
2m* α h
Φ0 = * The fluxoid
e
λ 2 2πµ0 H C λ 2
κ= =
ξ Φ0
1− t2 1
∝ =
1− t 4
1+ t2
1 1
When κ> type 2 SC κ< type 1 SC
2 2
 London penetration depth
*
(GL eq 2) J=
e
m
( ∇ϕ − e A ) Ψ
*
* 2

*2
e A 2
If ∇ϕ = 0 for x ξ J=− * Ψ
m
*2 2
e e* 1
∇×J = − * Ψ ∇× A = − * Ψ B = −
2 2
B
m m µ0 λ 2

From Ampere’s law ∇ × B = µ0 J ∇⋅B = 0

µ0∇ × J = ∇ × ∇ × B = ∇ ( ∇ ⋅ B ) − ∇ 2 B = −∇ 2 B
1
∇ B=
2
B We get the London eq.
λ 2 Ba
−x λ A0 J, A
Bz = B0 e = − e− x λ
λ
A0 − x λ
J y ( x) = e x ξ
x
µλ 2
0
Bz(x) Effect of small Ψ
Two length scales,
Bz = B0 e − x λ ξ and λ
λ

ξ SC Type 2 SC
|Ψ|
normal x 0 ξ λ
Ψ = Ψ ∞ tanh
2ξ

Jy(x) Effect of small Ψ

J y ( x ) = J 0e− x λ