Determine the mechanism behind the observed hysteresis

Determine whether the temperature hysteresis observed in the superconducting transitions of magnetically sorted graphite powders is caused by a weak-link network of superconducting grains or by an alternative mechanism.

Background

In resistance measurements on agglomerates of sorted graphite particles, the authors observe pronounced hysteresis across superconducting transitions. While such hysteresis is characteristic of weak-link networks in granular superconductors, the authors caution that other explanations may account for the data.

Clarifying the microscopic origin of this hysteresis is important for understanding transport behavior and for assessing the robustness and reproducibility of the high-temperature superconducting state in these graphite systems.