Nonstationary ''intermediate'' state of nonequilibrium superconductors
The character of the phase transition of an optically pumped superconductor to the normal state is investigated. It is shown that a superconductor with nonequilibrium quasiparticle is unstable relative to a transition to the normal state if the gap becomes smaller than a certain value ..delta../sub n/ that is small in comparison with the gap in the absence of pumping. The region of instability with respect to the optical pumping power ..beta.. coincides with the interval where the gap is not a unique function of the pump; this region was obtained by the author earlier (Sov. Phys.-JETP 44, 780, 1976). The spatially inhomogeneous states that arise after the development of the instability are investigated using the Ginzburg-Landau equation generalized to include the nonequilibrium case. Depending on the pump power, stationary coexistence of the regions of normal and superconducting phases is possible (at ..beta..=..beta../sub 0/), as well as nonstationary coexistence when the interface moves with a definite velocity that depends on the difference ..beta..-..beta../sub 0/.
- Research Organization:
- Moscow Engineering-Physics Institute
- OSTI ID:
- 6729189
- Journal Information:
- Sov. Phys. - JETP (Engl. Transl.); (United States), Journal Name: Sov. Phys. - JETP (Engl. Transl.); (United States) Vol. 46:1; ISSN SPHJA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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