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Title: Magnetic field dependence of the superconductor-normal-metal boundary resistance

Journal Article · · Phys. Rev., B: Condens. Matter; (United States)

The superconductor-normal-metal boundary resistance between Pb/sub 0.98/Bi/sub 0.02/ and Cd was measured as a function of magnetic field. Using the theory of Hsiang and Clarke, we deduce the electron-phonon inelastic scattering time tau/sub E/=0(T/sub c/) for quasiparticles on the Fermi surface and at T/sub c/ to be (3.5 +- 0.7) x 10/sup -11/ s in the absence of magnetic fields. When a magnetic field is applied in the plane of the junction, the boundary resistance at a fixed reduced temperature T/T/sub c/(H) was found to decrease with increasing field. This effect is ascribed to the pair breaking of the magnetic field in a type-II superconductor. Using a pair-breaking parameter ..cap alpha..=DeH/c, where D is the electronic diffusivity determined from resistivity measurement, and a charge relaxation time calculated by Schmid and Schoen, we quantitatively account for the magnetic field dependence of the boundary resistance.

Research Organization:
Ames Laboratory, United States Department of Energy and Department of Physics, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011
OSTI ID:
5689106
Journal Information:
Phys. Rev., B: Condens. Matter; (United States), Vol. 21:3
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English