|   | 
Details
   web
Records
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 (up) 2007 Publication Phys. Rev. B Abbreviated Journal Phys. Rev. B
Volume 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.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1098-0121 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1423
Permanent link to this record
 

 
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 (up) 2009 Publication Phys. Rev. B Abbreviated Journal Phys. Rev. B
Volume 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.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number RPLAB @ gujma @ Serial 680
Permanent link to this record
 

 
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 (up) 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.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Recommended by Klapwijk Approved no
Call Number Serial 923
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Bulaevskii, L. N.; Graf, M. J.; Batista, C. D.; Kogan, V. G.
Title Vortex-induced dissipation in narrow current-biased thin-film superconducting strips Type Journal Article
Year (up) 2011 Publication Phys. Rev. B Abbreviated Journal Phys. Rev. B
Volume 83 Issue 14 Pages 9
Keywords
Abstract A vortex crossing a thin-film superconducting strip from one edge to the other, perpendicular to the bias current, is the dominant mechanism of dissipation for films of thickness d on the order of the coherence length ξ and of width w much narrower than the Pearl length Λâ‰<ab>wâ‰<ab>ξ. At high bias currents I*<I<Ic the heat released by the crossing of a single vortex suffices to create a belt-like normal-state region across the strip, resulting in a detectable voltage pulse. Here Ic is the critical current at which the energy barrier vanishes for a single vortex crossing. The belt forms along the vortex path and causes a transition of the entire strip into the normal state. We estimate I* to be roughly Ic/3. Furthermore, we argue that such “hot” vortex crossings are the origin of dark counts in photon detectors, which operate in the regime of metastable superconductivity at currents between I* and Ic. We estimate the rate of vortex crossings and compare it with recent experimental data for dark counts. For currents below I*, that is, in the stable superconducting but resistive regime, we estimate the amplitude and duration of voltage pulses induced by a single vortex crossing.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes SSPD Approved no
Call Number RPLAB @ gujma @ Serial 688
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Bulaevskii, L. N.; Graf, Matthias J.; Kogan, V. G.
Title Vortex-assisted photon counts and their magnetic field dependence in single-photon superconducting detectors Type Journal Article
Year (up) 2012 Publication Phys. Rev. B Abbreviated Journal Phys. Rev. B
Volume 85 Issue 1 Pages 9
Keywords SSPD; SNSPD; single-vortex crossing; normal-state belt
Abstract We argue that photon counts in a superconducting nanowire single-photon detector (SNSPD) are caused by the transition from a current-biased metastable superconducting state to the normal state. Such a transition is triggered by vortices crossing the thin and narrow superconducting strip from one edge to another due to the Lorentz force. Detector counts in SNSPDs may be caused by three processes: (a) a single incident photon with sufficient energy to break enough Cooper pairs to create a normal-state belt across the entire width of the strip (direct photon count), (b) thermally induced single-vortex crossing in the absence of photons (dark count), which at high-bias currents releases the energy sufficient to trigger the transition to the normal state in a belt across the whole width of the strip, and (c) a single incident photon of insufficient energy to create a normal-state belt but initiating a subsequent single-vortex crossing, which provides the rest of the energy needed to create the normal-state belt (vortex-assisted single-photon count). We derive the current dependence of the rate of vortex-assisted photon counts. The resulting photon count rate has a plateau at high currents close to the critical current and drops as a power law with high exponent at lower currents. While the magnetic field perpendicular to the film plane does not affect the formation of hot spots by photons, it causes the rate of vortex crossings (with or without photons) to increase. We show that by applying a magnetic field one may characterize the energy barrier for vortex crossings and identify the origin of dark counts and vortex-assisted photon counts.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number RPLAB @ gujma @ Serial 733
Permanent link to this record