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Title: Theory of the upper critical field of superconducting superlattices

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

The upper critical field of superconducting superlattices is calculated by taking account of spatial variations of the following quantities of conduction electrons: the density of states, the diffusion constant, the attractive interaction constant responsible for superconductivity, and the spin polarization. For applied magnetic fields parallel to the layers, these spatial variations cause a dimensional crossover in the temperature dependence of the upper critical field H/sub c/2X. The spatial variation of the density of states is most important for the effect of the dimensional crossover observed in Nb/Cu superlattices. For applied magnetic fields perpendicular to layers, a new type of crossover is predicted in the temperature dependence of H/sub c/2perpendicular for superlattices composed of a high-H/sub c/2 material and a low-H/sub c/2 material. The anisotropic spin polarization of conduction electrons induced by applied magnetic fields explains the anomalous behavior of H/sub c/2 observed in V/Ni superlattices.

Research Organization:
The Research Institute for Iron, Steel and Other Metals, Tohoku University, Katahira, Sendai 980, Japan
OSTI ID:
6121938
Journal Information:
Phys. Rev. B: Condens. Matter; (United States), Vol. 33:7
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English