BCS theory — UPSC Physics Optional IFoS 2025 Paper II

(i) Give a qualitative description of the BCS theory and explain how it accounts for the superconducting state. (ii) The critical field of niobium is 1 \times 10^5\text{ A/m} at 8\text{ K} and 2 \times 10^5\text{ A/m} at absolute zero. Find the transition temperature of the element.