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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 (down) 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 Recommended by Klapwijk Approved no
Call Number Serial 923
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Author Kerman, Andrew J.; Yang, Joel K. W.; Molnar, Richard J.; Dauler, Eric A.; Berggren, Karl K.
Title Electrothermal feedback in superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors Type Journal Article
Year 2009 Publication Phys. Rev. B Abbreviated Journal Phys. Rev. B
Volume (down) 79 Issue 10 Pages 4
Keywords SNSPD
Abstract We investigate the role of electrothermal feedback in the operation of superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs). It is found that the desired mode of operation for SNSPDs is only achieved if this feedback is unstable, which happens naturally through the slow electrical response associated with their relatively large kinetic inductance. If this response is sped up in an effort to increase the device count rate, the electrothermal feedback becomes stable and results in an effect known as latching, where the device is locked in a resistive state and can no longer detect photons. We present a set of experiments which elucidate this effect and a simple model which quantitatively explains the results.
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Notes Approved no
Call Number RPLAB @ gujma @ Serial 680
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Author Pothier, H.; Guéron, S.; Birge, Norman O.; Esteve, D.; Devoret, M. H.
Title Energy distribution function of quasiparticles in mesoscopic wires Type Journal Article
Year 1997 Publication Phys. Rev. Lett. Abbreviated Journal
Volume (down) 79 Issue 18 Pages 3490-3493
Keywords tunnel probe, metallic nanowire, diffusive wire, diffusive nanowire
Abstract We have measured with a tunnel probe the energy distribution function of Landau quasiparticles in metallic diffusive wires connected to two reservoir electrodes, with an applied bias voltage. The distribution function in the middle of a 1.5-μm-long wire resembles the half sum of the Fermi distributions of the reservoirs. The distribution functions in 5-μm-long wires are more rounded, due to interactions between quasiparticles during the longer diffusion time across the wire. From the scaling of the data with the bias voltage, we find that the scattering rate between two quasiparticles varies as <c9><203a>–2, where <c9><203a> is the energy transferred.
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Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 921
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Author Huard, B.; Pothier, H.; Esteve, D.; Nagaev, K. E.
Title Electron heating in metallic resistors at sub-Kelvin temperature Type Journal Article
Year 2007 Publication Phys. Rev. B Abbreviated Journal Phys. Rev. B
Volume (down) 76 Issue Pages 165426(1-9)
Keywords electron heating in resistor, HEB distributed model, HEB model, hot electrons
Abstract In the presence of Joule heating, the electronic temperature in a metallic resistor placed at sub-Kelvin temperatures can significantly exceed the phonon temperature. Electron cooling proceeds mainly through two processes: electronic diffusion to and from the connecting wires and electron-phonon coupling. The goal of this paper is to present a general solution of the problem in a form that can easily be used in practical situations. As an application, we compute two quantities that depend on the electronic temperature profile: the second and the third cumulant of the current noise at zero frequency, as a function of the voltage across the resistor. We also consider time-dependent heating, an issue relevant for experiments in which current pulses are used, for instance, in time-resolved calorimetry experiments.
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Notes Recommended by Klapwijk as example for writing the article on the HEB model. Approved no
Call Number Serial 936
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Author Bell, M.; Sergeev, A.; Mitin, V.; Bird, J.; Verevkin, A.; Gol’tsman, G.
Title One-dimensional resistive states in quasi-two-dimensional superconductors: Experiment and theory Type Journal Article
Year 2007 Publication Phys. Rev. B Abbreviated Journal Phys. Rev. B
Volume (down) 76 Issue 9 Pages 094521 (1 to 5)
Keywords uasi-two-dimensional superconductors, NbN
Abstract We investigate competition between one- and two-dimensional topological excitations—phase slips and vortices—in the formation of resistive states in quasi-two-dimensional superconductors in a wide temperature range below the mean-field transition temperature TC0. The widths w=100nm of our ultrathin NbN samples are substantially larger than the Ginzburg-Landau coherence length ξ=4nm, and the fluctuation resistivity above TC0 has a two-dimensional character. However, our data show that the resistivity below TC0 is produced by one-dimensional excitations—thermally activated phase slip strips (PSSs) overlapping the sample cross section. We also determine the scaling phase diagram, which shows that even in wider samples the PSS contribution dominates over vortices in a substantial region of current and/or temperature variations. Measuring the resistivity within 7 orders of magnitude, we find that the quantum phase slips can only be essential below this level.
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ISSN 1098-0121 ISBN Medium
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Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1423
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