Limitations on the Ginzburg criterion for dirty superconductors

A. Aharony; O. Entin-Wohlman; H. Bary-Soroker; Y. Imry

doi:10.3952/physics.v52i2.2352

A. Aharony
O. Entin-Wohlman
H. Bary-Soroker
Y. Imry

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3952/physics.v52i2.2352

Keywords: dirty superconductors, Ginzburg criterion, superconducting fluctuations, specific heat

Abstract

The contributions of superconducting fluctuations to the specific heat of dirty superconductors are calculated, including quantum and classical corrections to the ‘usual’ leading Gaussian divergence. These additional terms modify the Ginzburg criterion, which is based on equating these fluctuation-generated contributions to the mean-field discontinuity in the specific heat, and set limits on its applicability for materials with a low transition temperature.