Heat Transport in Superconductors

Abstract

The heat conduction processes in superconductors have been discussed on the basis of the analogy with liquid helium II. It is suggested that under certain conditions the superconductive metal can exhibit a type of heat transport corresponding to the heat flow associated with the fountain effect. The heat conductivity of a number of pure metals and alloys has been measured in the normal and in the superconductive state and the results have been analysed with reference to the hypothesis mentioned above. In addition to the change of heat conduction with temperature, the magnetic hysteresis of the heat conduction has been investigated. The use of these phenomena as make-and-break thermal contacts at very low temperatures has been suggested.