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Measurement of the pair potential in aligned Pb-Cd lamellar eutectic composites

Journal Article · · Phys. Rev., B: Solid State; (United States)

Thermal-conductivity measurements have been used to study the pair potential in multilayer superconductor--normal-metal lamellar composites. Lamellar Pb-Cd eutectic samples were prepared by a high-speed directional solidification technique which generates large single-grain samples with all the lamellae lined up in the same direction. For thin Cd layers where the pair potential ..delta.. is expected to be uniform throughout the Cd, the pair potential is found to be approx. 40% of the value in bulk Pb. This gives direct experimental evidence that the boundary condition requiring continuity of ..delta../NV applies in the clean regime. Surprisingly, the electron mean free path in the Cd is longer than the width of the lamellae implying that Andreev scattering is suppressed at the Pb-Cd interface.

Research Organization:
Ames Laboratory-U.S. Department of Energy, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011
OSTI ID:
6581681
Journal Information:
Phys. Rev., B: Solid State; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Rev., B: Solid State; (United States) Vol. 18:7; ISSN PLRBA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English