TY - JOUR
T1 - Dichotomy in short superconducting nanowires
T2 - Thermal phase slippage vs. Coulomb blockade
AU - Bollinger, A. T.
AU - Rogachev, A.
AU - Bezryadin, A.
PY - 2006/11/1
Y1 - 2006/11/1
N2 - Quasi-one-dimensional superconductors or nanowires exhibit a transition into a nonsuperconducting regime, as their diameter shrinks. We present measurements on ultrashort nanowires (∼40-190 nm long) in the vicinity of this quantum transition. Properties of all wires in the superconducting phase, even those close to the transition, can be explained in terms of thermally activated phase slips. The behavior of nanowires in the nonsuperconducting phase agrees with the theories of the Coulomb blockade of coherent transport through mesoscopic normal metal conductors. Thus it is concluded that the quantum transition occurs between two phases: a "true superconducting phase" and an "insulating phase". No intermediate, "metallic" phase was found.
AB - Quasi-one-dimensional superconductors or nanowires exhibit a transition into a nonsuperconducting regime, as their diameter shrinks. We present measurements on ultrashort nanowires (∼40-190 nm long) in the vicinity of this quantum transition. Properties of all wires in the superconducting phase, even those close to the transition, can be explained in terms of thermally activated phase slips. The behavior of nanowires in the nonsuperconducting phase agrees with the theories of the Coulomb blockade of coherent transport through mesoscopic normal metal conductors. Thus it is concluded that the quantum transition occurs between two phases: a "true superconducting phase" and an "insulating phase". No intermediate, "metallic" phase was found.
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U2 - 10.1209/epl/i2006-10275-5
DO - 10.1209/epl/i2006-10275-5
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:33751089839
VL - 76
SP - 505
EP - 511
JO - Lettere Al Nuovo Cimento
JF - Lettere Al Nuovo Cimento
SN - 0295-5075
IS - 3
ER -