Dissipative macroscopic quantum tunneling in type-I superconductors

Journal Article · Tue Nov 01 00:00:00 EDT 2011 · Physical Review. B, Condensed Matter and Materials Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVB.84.184525· OSTI ID:21596919

Zarzuela, R; Tejada, J ^[1]; Chudnovsky, E M ^[1]

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1. Departament de Fisica Fonamental, Facultat de Fisica, Universitat de Barcelona, Avinguda Diagonal 645, 08028 Barcelona (Spain)

We study macroscopic quantum tunneling of interfaces separating normal and superconducting regions in type-I superconductors. A mathematical model is developed that describes dissipative quantum escape of a two-dimensional manifold from a planar potential well. It corresponds to, e.g., a current-driven quantum depinning of the interface from a grain boundary or from an artificially manufactured pinning layer. Effective action is derived and instantons of the equations of motion are investigated. The crossover between thermal activation and quantum tunneling is studied and the crossover temperature is computed. Our results, together with recent observation of nonthermal low-temperature magnetic relaxation in lead, suggest the possibility of a controlled measurement of quantum depinning of the interface in a type-I superconductor.

• OSTI ID: 21596919
• Journal Information: Physical Review. B, Condensed Matter and Materials Physics, Vol. 84, Issue 18; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.84.184525; (c) 2011 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1098-0121
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
EQUATIONS OF MOTION
GRAIN BOUNDARIES
INTERFACES
LAYERS
RELAXATION
SIMULATION
TUNNEL EFFECT
TWO-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
TYPE-I SUPERCONDUCTORS
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
EQUATIONS
MICROSTRUCTURE
PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
SUPERCONDUCTORS