MAGNETOSTRICTION DUE TO SURFACE CURRENTS IN TYPE-2 SUPERCONDUCTORS

The mixed state behavior of type-II superconductors is determined by both the flux-line density and the superconductive surface currents. These currents give rise to a new magnetostrictive term that depends on the surface currents and the flux-line density. The new term is found to be very large in the indium alloys investigated. The experimental results are explained theoretically and it is shown that the elastic constants can be calculated from measurements of the new magnetostrictive term. © 1969 The American Physical Society.