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Locality of information obtained from proximity-electron-tunneling spectroscopy

Journal Article · · Phys. Rev. B: Condens. Matter; (United States)
The locality of the information obtained by the technique of proximity-electron tunneling (PETS) is analyzed, with particular attention to the effects on the measured effective-phonon spectrum ..cap alpha../sup 2/F(..omega..) is disorder or impurities near the surface of the superconductor electrode. As in conventional tunnel junctions it is determined that the (energy-dependent) electron mean free path determines the maximum depth of the superconductor of which the measured phonon spectrum is characterized. An averaging length L(E) is defined and found to be typically larger in proximity junctions than in conventional junctions. This can make PET results inherently less susceptible than conventional results to surface disorder of the superconductor.
Research Organization:
Department of Physics, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556
OSTI ID:
5523586
Journal Information:
Phys. Rev. B: Condens. Matter; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Rev. B: Condens. Matter; (United States) Vol. 25:3; ISSN PRBMD
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English