Description:

Abstract: A superconductor hosting moveable half-quantum vortices would be of particular interest for potential applications in quantum computing. I will explore how candidate materials to host half quantum vortices might be selected and then present results on the study of one of these. I will look at how the anisotropy of the critical field can establish the presence of a two-component order parameter, one of the pre-requisites for forming half-quantum vortices. The next step of identifying the eventual presence of half-quantum vortices is straight forward at room pressure, but requires the development of new methods at high pressure.  I will briefly review possible methods to achieve this, including the use of ultra-sound. If time permits I will also cover ultrasound measurements to study superconductivity in a CDW ordered state.  This will focus on presence of a sharp peak in the attenuation just below Tc seen in a number of unconventional superconductors. 

Speaker: Andrew Huxley, Professor, The University of Edinburgh

Host: Prof. James Sauls