6533b839fe1ef96bd12a5944

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Superconducting transition of single-crystal tin microstructures

Jukka P. PekolaK. Yu. ArutyunovA. B. PavolotskiTomi Ryynänen

subject

SuperconductivityMaterials scienceCondensed matter physicschemistryWhiskerProximity effect (superconductivity)Niobiumchemistry.chemical_elementTinMicrostructureSingle crystalCopper

description

Single-crystal superconducting microstructures have been fabricated. The resistances of tin whiskers were measured in a multiprobe configuration. Contacts were made of copper, gold, or niobium films using e-beam lithography followed by a lift-off process. Structures with normal metal probes showed unusual behavior: below the critical temperature of bulk tin, the resistance decreases in distinct steps and does not reach zero even when cooled down to 1 K. The origin of these phenomena is not clear but is likely related to a proximity effect.

https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevb.63.092506