Explain the Ginzburg-Landau theory of superconductivity.
The Ginzburg-Landau theory, which I co-developed with Lev Landau, is a phenomenological approach to superconductivity. It introduces a complex wave function, the 'order parameter,' which becomes non-zero below the critical temperature. This order parameter essentially represents the density of superconducting charge carriers. The theory utilizes symmetry breaking principles, where the normal state possesses full symmetry, and the superconducting state breaks this symmetry. We derived equations that describe the behavior of this order parameter and the associated magnetic field within the superconductor. A key outcome was the classification of superconductors into Type I and Type II, based on their response to magnetic fields, which is crucial for understanding their practical applications.
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