Density-wave propagation within layered high-temperature superconducting plasmas

Abstract

. In the present work we theoretically investigate density-wave propagation in a superconducting medium, consisting of a finite number of layers. An electromagnetic wave interacts with superconducting electrons to set up charge-density gradients within the superconducting electron plasma. We use the London equations and a two fluid approach along with a Kronig–Penney model to describe the layered medium, in order to investigate the density wave behaviour by deriving a linear dispersion relation. It is shown that the charge density wave dissipates gradually. We numerically investigate the dependence of the complex Bloch-wave number on the propagation frequency using the standard boundary conditions of the Kronig–Penney model. Expressions of reflectivity and transmissivity are derived for a periodic layered structure consisting of a finite number of superconducting layers; these quantities are investigated numerically for a high temperature superconductor and their dependence on background parameters is discussed.