Presence of quantum diffusion in two dimensions: Universal resistance at the superconductor-insulator transition

Journal Article · Mon Jan 29 04:00:00 EST 1990 · Physical Review Letters; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.64.587· OSTI ID:6914627

Fisher, M P.A.; Grinstein, G ^[1]; Girvin, S M ^[2]

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1. IBM Research Division, Thomas J. Watson Research Center, Yorktown Heights, New York 10598 (US)
2. Physics Department, Swain Hall West 117, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405 (USA)

We argue that whenever the transition between the insulating and superconducting phases of a disordered two-dimensional Fermi system at zero temperature ({ital T}=0) is continuous, the system behaves like a normal metal right at the transition; i.e., the resistance has a finite, nonzero value at {ital T}=0. This value is {ital universal}---independent of all microscopic details. These features, consistent with recent measurements on disordered films, are hypothesized to apply to other 2D transitions at {ital T}=0, such as Anderson localization with spin-orbit coupling, and the quantum Hall effect.

• OSTI ID: 6914627
• Journal Information: Physical Review Letters; (USA), Journal Name: Physical Review Letters; (USA) Vol. 64:5; ISSN PRLTA; ISSN 0031-9007
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

656100* -- Condensed Matter Physics-- Superconductivity
75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
ABSOLUTE ZERO TEMPERATURE
AMORPHOUS STATE
DIFFUSION
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
ENERGY LEVELS
FERMI LEVEL
FILMS
MECHANICS
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
QUANTUM MECHANICS
RANDOMNESS
SCALING LAWS
SUPERCONDUCTING FILMS
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
TRANSITION TEMPERATURE
TWO-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS