Solution

ID: past-exam-of-the-superconductivity-and-quantum-coherence-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2012/paper-1/1/c/solution

Write the condensate order parameter as . Away from vortex cores, single-valuedness around a closed loop gives . For neutral condensed objects of mass , , hence the quantized circulation
Here is the atomic mass for a simple bosonic atomic condensate, or the pair mass for a paired-fermion condensate. A nonzero winding can surround a vortex core where the order-parameter amplitude falls to zero. The result concerns collective condensate phase winding, not separate orbit quantization of every constituent particle.
For charge per condensed object, the gauge-invariant relation is . Integrating gives
This is fluxoid and flux quantization in a superconductor. With Cooper-pair charge magnitude , the flux quantum's magnitude is
The orientation fixes its sign. A loop taken deep in a thick superconductor has negligible superflow and therefore encloses an integer flux quantum. In a thin loop or one with appreciable screening current, it is the fluxoid, including the circulation term, that is quantized; the magnetic flux alone need not be exactly an integer multiple.

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