Charge imbalance waves and nonequilibrium dynamics near a superconducting phase-slip center

Journal Article · Fri Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1980 · J. Low Temp. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00114339· OSTI ID:5533633

Kadin, A M; Smith, L N; Skocpol, W J

Using a generalized two-fluid picture to describe a quasi-one-dimensional superconductor near T/sub c/, we provide a heuristic derivation for a set of equations governing the temporal and spatial evolution of the charge imbalance (or branch imbalance) in the quasiparticles. We show that these equations are isomorphic to those that describe a simple electrical transmission line, so that charge imbalance waves may propagate in the superconductor in analogy with electrical signals that propagate down the transmission line. We propose as a model for a phase-slip center in a superconducting filament a localized Josephson oscillator coupled to the transmission line. Applying standard transmission-line theory to solve the problem, we show that the Josephson oscillations in the center generate charge imbalance waves that the propagate out to a frequency-dependent distance of the order of the quasiparticle diffusion length GAMMA/sub Q/*= (Dtau/sub Q/*)/sup 1/2/ before they damp out. The time-averaged behavior of the model reduces to the earlier model of Skocpol, Beasley, and Tinkham. A novel consequence of the model is a prediction of intrinsic hysteresis in the dc current--voltage relation. The model also provides a convenient framework for dealing with ac effects in phase-slip centers, including resonance and synchronization in systems of closely spaced phase-slip centers and microbridges.

• Research Organization: Department of Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
• OSTI ID: 5533633
• Journal Information: J. Low Temp. Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Low Temp. Phys.; (United States) Vol. 38:3; ISSN JLTPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

656101* -- Solid State Physics-- Superconductivity-- General Theory-- (-1987)
75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
CHARGE DISTRIBUTION
JOSEPHSON EFFECT
POWER TRANSMISSION LINES
QUASI PARTICLES
SUPERCONDUCTORS
WAVE PROPAGATION