Experimental observation of an intrinsic instability toward multiple-gap states in nonequilibrium superconducting aluminum films by high quasiparticle injection

Journal Article · Wed Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1981 · Phys. Rev. B: Condens. Matter; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.23.3240· OSTI ID:6450962

Iguchi, I; Kent, D; Gilmartin, H; Langenberg, D N

Measurements are reported of the inhomogeneous gap states in a superconducting Al film driven far from thermal equilibrium by tunnel injection using Pb/Bi-I-Al(2)-I-Al(1) double-tunnel junctions in which the gap parameter D/sub() A12/ is appreciably smaller than D/sub() Al1/. Quasiparticles are injected in the middle Al(2) film by a Pb/Bi-I-Al(2) injector. Above a certain threshold current, an intrinsic instability is observed, followed by the development of distinct gap states. For injection at the gap-sum voltage of the injector characteristic, we observe a two-gap state similar to previous observations, while for injection above the gap-sum voltage, we observe the subsequent appearance of the multiple-gap regions at a series of threshold currents. The results are consistently interpreted by an instability model developed based on the Scalapino-Huberman model.

• Research Organization: Institute of Materials Science, University of Tsukuba, Sakura-mura, Ibaraki-ken 305, Japan
• OSTI ID: 6450962
• Journal Information: Phys. Rev. B: Condens. Matter; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Rev. B: Condens. Matter; (United States) Vol. 23:7; 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
ELEMENTS
ENERGY GAP
FILMS
INSTABILITY
JUNCTIONS
METALS
QUASI PARTICLES
SUPERCONDUCTING FILMS
SUPERCONDUCTING JUNCTIONS
TUNNEL EFFECT