Abstract: We are investigating the possibility of using NbN nanowires as detectors in time-of-flight mass spectrometers for investigation of macromolecules of interest in biology (proteins). NbN nanowires could overcome the two major drawbacks encountered so far by cryogenic detectors, namely the low working temperature in the mK region and the slow temporal response. In fact, NbN nanowires can work at 5 K and the response time is at least a factor 10–100 better than that of other cryogenic detectors. We present a feasibility study based on a numerical code to calculate the response of a NbN nanowire. The parameter space is investigated at different energies from IR to macromolecules (i.e. from eV to keV) in order to understand if larger value of film thickness and width can be used for the keV energy region. We also present preliminary experimental results of irradiation with X-ray photons of NbN to simulate the effect of macromolecules of the same energy.

Abstract: Calculations have been performed on superconducting constrictions with hyperbolic geometry. Stationary Ginzburg-Landau equations are used, neglecting magneticfields. Emphasis is placed on the difference between two-and three -dimensional constrictions, which is related to the difference between uniform-thickness (UT) and variable-thickness (VT) superconducting microbridges. The width of the constriction w, normalized to the coherence length ξ is indicated by the parameter A (â‰<192> w/2ξ). It is found that small (A < 0.1), three-dimensional constrictions and VT bridges have a sinusoidal current-phase relation, linear temperature dependence of the critical current I c, and an I cR product (Ris the normal state resistance) equal to the Ambegaokar-Baratoff expression for Josephson junctions near T c. Two-dimensional constrictions behave as if they consist of an inner core with junction properties, in series with the films on both sides. The core consists of the region within a coherence length from the center of the structure. This size is temperature dependent. The core shows a sinusoidal current-phase relation and IcR according to Ambegaokar and Baratoff. For the whole constriction neither the phase difference nor R is finite. Two-dimensional constrictions have linear temperature dependence only when they are extremely narrow (A < 0.001). In two-dimensionalbridges the order parameter is depressed cover a distance of approximately the coherence length; in small three-dimensional constrictions this distance is approximately equal to the width. In narrow constrictions (and short microbridges) the current is not homogeneously distributedover the cross section. The effect has been investigated that occurs when in three-dimensional constrictions the width w is not much larger than l 0, the electron mean free path in the basic material. To this purpose a Ginzburg-Landau equation is derived from the Zaitsev boundary conditions which is valid for continuously changing material parameters. The critical current is decreased, but the IcR product remains constant.The results of the calculations are compared with experimental results for superconducting microbridges.

Abstract: Hot electrons in metals at helium temperatures under steady conditions can be produced by passing an electric current of moderate density through thin, narrow (-1 μm wide) metallic films in good thermal contact with bulk single-crystal dielectric substrates. This paper is concerned with the theory of hot electrons in normal metals at low temperatures (when θ<< θ(D), where θ is the average electron energy and θ(D) is the Debye temperature). The theory is formulated in terms of realistic electron and phonon dispersion laws, taking into account the experimental possibility of heat removal from the sample. In the case in which the temperature approximation of Kagnov, Lifshitz, and Tanatarov is not satisfied when elastic scattering of electrons is dominant in a steady state electric field, the kinetic equation is derived for the energy-dependent, hot electron distribution function, which determines the associated nonlinear responses. The solution of this equation is discussed for a simple model. It is shown that the experimental information on the electron-phonon interaction in a metal can be obtained in terms of the well-known spectral functions. This is illustrated by experiments determining the nonlinear field dependence of the resistance, by tunnel experiments, and by critical current hysteresis measurements (for superconducting metals). Theoretical estimates which support the observability of the effects underdiscussion are presented.