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Dissipative state of superconducting zinc whiskers

Journal Article · · J. Low Temp. Phys.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00115047· OSTI ID:6845774
The current-induced breakdown of superconductivity in Zn and Zn-Ag alloy whiskers close to the critical temperature has been investigated. Above the critical current I/sub c/ the superconductor enters a dissipative state with characteristics showing a regular voltage step structure due to the appearance of phase-slip centers. For short samples there is an influence of the superconducting contacts. Unaffected phase-slip centers are only observed in long samples. For this case the temperature-independent quasiparticle relaxation time is found to be 3.2 x 10/sup -8/ sec. For the zero-voltage intercept I/sub 0/ a value of 0.56 I/sub c/ is obtained.
Research Organization:
Physikalisches Institut der Universitaet Goettingen (West Germany)
OSTI ID:
6845774
Journal Information:
J. Low Temp. Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Low Temp. Phys.; (United States) Vol. 71:1-2; ISSN JLTPA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English