Penetration depth in proximity-effect superconductors

Journal Article · Mon Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1984 · Phys. Rev. B: Condens. Matter; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.30.3750· OSTI ID:6225309

Simon, R W; Chaikin, P M

We have studied magnetic field penetration into the normal-metal side of proximity-effect sandwiches by measuring the periodic magnetic field dependence of the dc Josephson current in tunnel junctions containing the normal-metal/superconductor bilayers. The systems studied include the bilayers Ag/Pb, Al/Pb, Ag/Sn, and Sn/Pb and the trilayer sandwich Ag/Sn/Pb, in the temperature range down to 0.1 K. We find that the magnetic field is screened out of the normal metal in much the same way as for a type-I superconductor, with a penetration depth that becomes independent of the normal-metal thickness, or the temperature, at sufficiently low temperature. The magnitude of the induced normal-metal penetration depth is a function of the normal-metal parameters and the inverse of the gap in the backing superconductor.

• Research Organization: Naval Research Laboratory, Code 6634, Department of the Navy, Washington, D.C. 20375
• OSTI ID: 6225309
• Journal Information: Phys. Rev. B: Condens. Matter; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Rev. B: Condens. Matter; (United States) Vol. 30:7; ISSN PRBMD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360104* -- Metals & Alloys-- Physical Properties
656102 -- Solid State Physics-- Superconductivity-- Acoustic
Electronic
Magnetic
Optical
& Thermal Phenomena-- (-1987)
75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
ALUMINIUM
CURRENTS
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
ELEMENTS
JOSEPHSON JUNCTIONS
JUNCTIONS
LEAD
MAGNETIC FIELDS
METALS
PENETRATION DEPTH
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PROXIMITY EFFECT
SILVER
SUPERCONDUCTING JUNCTIONS
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY
TIN
TRANSITION ELEMENTS