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Author Pekker, David; Shah, Nayana; Sahu, Mitrabhanu; Bezryadin, Alexey; Goldbart, Paul M.
Title Stochastic dynamics of phase-slip trains and superconductive-resistive switching in current-biased nanowires Type Journal Article
Year 2009 Publication Phys. Rev. B Abbreviated Journal
Volume 80 Issue Pages 214525 (1 to 17)
Keywords superconducting nanowire, phase-slip, order parameter, HEB distributed model, HEB model
Abstract Superconducting nanowires fabricated via carbon-nanotube templating can be used to realize and study quasi-one-dimensional superconductors. However, measurement of the linear resistance of these nanowires have been inconclusive in determining the low-temperature behavior of phase-slip fluctuations, both quantal and thermal. Thus, we are motivated to study the nonlinear current-voltage characteristics in current-biased nanowires and the stochastic dynamics of superconductive-resistive switching, as a way of probing phase-slip events. In particular, we address the question: can a single phase-slip event occurring somewhere along the wire—during which the order-parameter fluctuates to zero—induce switching, via the local heating it causes? We explore this and related issues by constructing a stochastic model for the time evolution of the temperature in a nanowire whose ends are maintained at a fixed temperature. We derive the corresponding master equation as a tool for evaluating and analyzing the mean switching time at a given value of current (smaller than the depairing critical current). The model indicates that although, in general, several phase-slip events are necessary to induce switching via a thermal runaway, there is indeed a regime of temperatures and currents in which a single event is sufficient. We carry out a detailed comparison of the results of the model with experimental measurements of the distribution of switching currents, and provide an explanation for the rather counterintuitive broadening of the distribution width that is observed upon lowering the temperature. Moreover, we identify a regime in which the experiments are probing individual phase-slip events, and thus offer a way of unearthing and exploring the physics of nanoscale quantum tunneling of the one-dimensional collective quantum field associated with the superconducting order parameter.
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Notes (down) Recommended by Klapwijk Approved no
Call Number Serial 923
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Author Anthore, A.; Pothier, H.; Esteve, D.
Title Density of states in a superconductor carrying a supercurrent Type Journal Article
Year 2003 Publication Phys. Rev. Lett. Abbreviated Journal Phys. Rev. Lett.
Volume 90 Issue 12 Pages 127001 (1 to 4)
Keywords Usadel, superconducting nanowire
Abstract We have measured the tunneling density of states (DOS) in a superconductor carrying a supercurrent or exposed to an external magnetic field. The pair correlations are weakened by the supercurrent, leading to a modification of the DOS and to a reduction of the gap. As predicted by the theory of superconductivity in diffusive metals, we find that this effect is similar to that of an external magnetic field.
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Notes (down) Recommended by Klapwijk Approved no
Call Number Serial 924
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Author Romijn, J.; Klapwijk, T. M.; Renne, M. J.; Mooij, J. E.
Title Critical pair-breaking current in superconducting aluminum strips far below Tc Type Journal Article
Year 1982 Publication Phys. Rev. B Abbreviated Journal Phys. Rev. B
Volume 26 Issue 7 Pages 3648-3655
Keywords superconducting nanowire
Abstract Critical currents of narrow, thin aluminum strips have been measured as a function of temperature. For the smallest samples uniformity of the current density is obtained over a large temperature range. Hence the intrinsic limit on the currentcarrying capacity of the superconductor was measured outside the Ginzburg-Landau -regime. The experimental values are compared with recent theoretical predictions by Kupriyanov and Lukichev. An approximate method of solving their equations is given, the results of which agree with the exact solution to within 1%. Experimental data are in excellent agreement with theoretical predictions. The absolute values agree if one assumes a ρl value of 4×10–16 Ωm2 with vF=1.3×106 m/s. This value for ρl is the same as that found from measurements of the anomalous skin effect but differs from values extracted from size-effect-limited resistivity.
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Notes (down) Recommended by Klapwijk Approved no
Call Number Serial 925
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Author Sahu, Mitrabhanu; Bae, Myung-Ho; Rogachev, Andrey; Pekker, David; Wei, Tzu-Chieh; Shah, Nayana; Goldbart, Paul M.; Bezryadin, Alexey
Title Individual topological tunnelling events of a quantum field probed through their macroscopic consequences Type Journal Article
Year 2009 Publication Nature Phys. Abbreviated Journal Nature Phys.
Volume 5 Issue Pages 503-508
Keywords phase slips, superconducting nanowires
Abstract Phase slips are topological fluctuations that carry the superconducting order-parameter field between distinct current-carrying states. Owing to these phase slips, superconducting nanowires acquire electrical resistance. In such wires, it is well known that at higher temperatures phase slips occur through the process of thermal barrier-crossing by the order-parameter field. At low temperatures, the general expectation is that phase slips should proceed through quantum tunnelling events, which are known as quantum phase slips. However, resistive measurements have produced evidence both for and against the occurrence of quantum phase slips. Here, we report evidence for the observation of individual quantum phase-slip events in homogeneous ultranarrow wires at high bias currents. We accomplish this through measurements of the distribution of switching currents for which the width exhibits a rather counter-intuitive, monotonic increase with decreasing temperature. Importantly, measurements show that in nanowires with larger critical currents, quantum fluctuations dominate thermal fluctuations up to higher temperatures.
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Notes (down) Recommended by Klapwijk Approved no
Call Number Serial 928
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Author Arutyunov, K. Y.; Ramos-Alvarez, A.; Semenov, A. V.; Korneeva, Y. P.; An, P. P.; Korneev, A. A.; Murphy, A.; Bezryadin, A.; Gol'tsman, G. N.
Title Superconductivity in highly disordered NbN nanowires Type Journal Article
Year 2016 Publication Nanotechnol. Abbreviated Journal Nanotechnol.
Volume 27 Issue 47 Pages 47lt02 (1 to 8)
Keywords NbN nanowires
Abstract The topic of superconductivity in strongly disordered materials has attracted significant attention. These materials appear to be rather promising for fabrication of various nanoscale devices such as bolometers and transition edge sensors of electromagnetic radiation. The vividly debated subject of intrinsic spatial inhomogeneity responsible for the non-Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer relation between the superconducting gap and the pairing potential is crucial both for understanding the fundamental issues of superconductivity in highly disordered superconductors, and for the operation of corresponding nanoelectronic devices. Here we report an experimental study of the electron transport properties of narrow NbN nanowires with effective cross sections of the order of the debated inhomogeneity scales. The temperature dependence of the critical current follows the textbook Ginzburg-Landau prediction for the quasi-one-dimensional superconducting channel I c approximately (1-T/T c)(3/2). We find that conventional models based on the the phase slip mechanism provide reasonable fits for the shape of R(T) transitions. Better agreement with R(T) data can be achieved assuming the existence of short 'weak links' with slightly reduced local critical temperature T c. Hence, one may conclude that an 'exotic' intrinsic electronic inhomogeneity either does not exist in our structures, or, if it does exist, it does not affect their resistive state properties, or does not provide any specific impact distinguishable from conventional weak links.
Address National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow Institute of Electronics and Mathematics,109028, Moscow, Russia. P L Kapitza Institute for Physical Problems RAS, Moscow, 119334, Russia
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Notes (down) PMID:27782000 Approved no
Call Number Serial 1332
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