Ginzburg--Landau Theory of Inhomogeneous Superconductor--Ferromagnet Structures

On the basis of a Ginzburg--Landau theory, inhomogeneous structures consisting of superconducting and ferromagnetic layers are investigated. A bilayer and a sandwich-like structure, both extending to infinity, are studied. Taking fully into account the nonlinearities, phase diagrams and the temperature variation of the order parameters and their spatial form are obtained. Peculiarities like inhibition of the superconducting order, reentrant behaviour and the occurrence of first order phase transitions. Graphs, Photomicrographs. 12 ref.--AA