Does the Meissner effect require radial charge flow?

The conventional theory of superconductivity is believed to account for the Meissner effect without radial charge flow. Instead, we have argued in earlier work that the Meissner effect is impossible in the absence of radial flow of charge because of Alfven’s theorem. Here I discuss different sample geometries that could help to determine experimentally whether or not radial charge flow is necessary for superconductors to expel magnetic fields. • Experiment are proposed to shed light on the dynamics of the Meissner effect. • The conventional theory predicts that no radial charge flow takes place in the Meissner effect. • The theory of hole superconductivity predicts that radial charge flow is indispensable. • Proposed experiments will test whether impeding radial charge flow impedes magnetic field expulsion. • This will shed light on the validity of alternative theories.