The magnetic field dependence of the thermal conductivity of four niobium samples in the mixed state has been investigated at several temperatures and three different field orientations. The samples are of moderate purity, that is, l e ≈ ξ0. At low temperatures, just above H c1, the phonon conductivity can be easily separated. Good agreement is obtained with qualitative predictions of Canel and Vinen for the scattering of phonons by flux lines. At high temperatures both the phonons and the electrons are scattered by the flux lines. Though it is evident that the scattering mechanism is more effective in the case that H ⊥ ▽T than for H ∥ ▽T, only a qualitative discussion can be given. Near H c2 the finite slopes of the λ(H) curves are in qualitative agreement with the gapless superconductivity theory of Caroli and Cyrot, but the dependence on the electron mean free path can be better understood from the theory of pure type II superconductors of Houghton and Maki. Some aspects of pure type II superconductivity are also recognized in the anisotropic behavior near H c2.
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Communication No. 410c from the Kamerlingh Onnes Laboratorium. Part of this work has already been reported in the thesis of one of the authors.
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Kes, P.H., van der Veeken, J.P.M. & de Klerk, D. Thermal conductivity of niobium in the mixed state. J Low Temp Phys 18, 355–376 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00118165
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00118165