Published June 1997 | Version v1
Journal article

Quantum fluctuations in current-carrying thin films of YBa2Cu3O7-δ

  • 1. Brockhouse Institute for Materials Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4M1 (CANADA)

Description

Light ion irradiation is used to gain insight into nonlinear transport in the absence of an applied magnetic field. Detailed measurements of the electric-field endash current-density characteristics of YBa2Cu3O7-δ microbridges are found to agree well with a model based on the quantum nucleation of vortices. Light ion irradiation drastically shifts the characteristics to lower currents. Within the model, the current scale associated with the onset of dissipation can be related to the superconducting carrier density. We compare the reduction in the superconducting carrier density deduced from the model with direct measurements employing infrared reflectance spectroscopy and find excellent agreement. copyright 1997 The American Physical Society

Additional details

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Physical Review. B, Condensed Matter
Journal Volume
55
Journal Issue
22
Journal Page Range
p. R14741-R14744.
ISSN
0163-1829
CODEN
PRBMDO