Stabilization of superconductivity by phase-slip centers in current-carrying tin whiskers

The superconducting-normal transition in quasi-one-dimensional superconductors, such as whiskers, near the critical temperature is characterized by a large region of nonequilibrium superconductivity. Localized phase-slip centers lead he V-T and V-I characteristics. The width of the transition can be understood even by assuming the whisker to consist of very homogeneous material, because phase-slip centers stimulate the superconductivity in the whole sample, leading to an enhancement of the critical currents of other phase-slip centers. The present work reports quantitative measurements of his phenomenon and discussed possible explanations