Weak localization, fluctuation, and superconductivity in thin Nb films and wires

Journal Article · Sun Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1990 · Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.42.118· OSTI ID:6565737

Hikita, M; Tajima, Y; Tamamura, T ^[1]; Kurihara, S ^[2]

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1. Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation, Opto-Electronics Laboratories, Tokai, Ibaraki 319-11 (Japan)
2. Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation, Basic Research Laboratories, Musashino, Tokyo 180 (Japan)

Weak localization, fluctuation conductivity, and related problems have been investigated based on a comprehensive set of experiments on transition metal Nb films and wires. The temperature dependence of the inelastic scattering rate 1/{tau}{sub {phi}} of films with various thicknesses (25--80 A), estimated from magnetoresistance data above {Tc}, is well fitted to a function of {ital C}{sub 0}+{ital C}{sub 1}{ital T}+{ital C}{sub 3}{ital T}{sup 3}. The coefficient {ital C}{sub 1} is in excellent quantitative agreement with the theoretical prediction of the electron-electron scattering mechanism for two-dimensional dirty metals. The coefficient {ital C}{sub 3} shows no thickness dependence and is in semiquantitative agreement with theories of three-dimensional electron-phonon scattering mechanisms. The upper critical field of thin Nb wires with a width of less than 1000 A exhibits unconventional temperature dependence close to {Tc}. We also discuss this behavior.

• OSTI ID: 6565737
• Journal Information: Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter; (USA), Journal Name: Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter; (USA) Vol. 42:1; ISSN PRBMD; ISSN 0163-1829
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360104* -- Metals & Alloys-- Physical Properties
656100 -- Condensed Matter Physics-- Superconductivity
75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
CRITICAL FIELD
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
ELEMENTS
FILMS
FLUCTUATIONS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETORESISTANCE
METALS
NIOBIUM
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
SUPERCONDUCTING FILMS
SUPERCONDUCTING WIRES
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
TRANSITION TEMPERATURE
VARIATIONS
WIRES