The critical current of superconductors: an historical review

Abstract

The most

important practical characteristic of a superconductor is its critical current density.

This article traces the history, both of the experimental discoveries and of the

development of the theoretical ideas that have lead to the understanding of those factors

that control critical current densities. These include Silsbee`s hypothesis, the Meissner

effect, London, Ginsburg-Landau and Abrikosov theories, flux pinning and the critical

state, and the control of texture in high temperature superconductors.