Vortices: Superconducting Levitation and Type-II Superconductors

This lecture covers the phenomenon of vortices in superconductors, starting with the concept of superconducting levitation and the differences between Type-I and Type-II superconductors. It delves into the Ginzburg-Landau parameter, the coherence length, and the critical fields in superconductors. The instructor explains the experimental evidence of vortices, including flux decoration and scanning magnetometry. The lecture also discusses the energy balance in superconductors and why vortices exist, particularly focusing on Type-II superconductors. Additionally, it explores the core region of vortices, giant vortices, and the estimation of critical fields in Type-II superconductors.