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arXiv · 0903.2451

Proximity-induced superconductivity in nanowires: Mini-gap state and differential magnetoresistance oscillations

Jian Wang·Chuntai Shi·Mingliang Tian·Qi Zhang·Nitesh Kumar·J. K. Jain·T. E. Mallouk·M. H. W. Chan
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Abstract

We study proximity-induced superconductivity in gold nanowires as a function of the length of the nanowire, magnetic field, and excitation current. Short nanowires exhibit a sharp superconducting transition, whereas long nanowires show nonzero resistance. At intermediate lengths, however, we observe two sharp transitions; the normal and superconducting regions are separated by what we call the mini-gap phase. Additionally, we detect periodic oscillations in the differential magnetoresistance. We provide a theoretical model for the mini-gap phase as well as the periodic oscillations in terms of the coexistence of proximity-induced superconductivity with a normal region near the center of the wire, created either by temperature or application of a magnetic field.

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Jian Wang, Chuntai Shi, Mingliang Tian, Qi Zhang, Nitesh Kumar, J. K. Jain, T. E. Mallouk, M. H. W. Chan. 2009-03-13. Proximity-induced superconductivity in nanowires: Mini-gap state and differential magnetoresistance oscillations. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.102.247003

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