Study of Mini-Gap Regime in Au Nanowires

POSTER

Abstract

The inducement of superconductivity in 70nm single crystal Au nanowires (AuNWs) via the Proximity Effect was reported in 2009 [Wang, J. et al. \textit{Phys. Rev. Lett.} \textbf{2009}, 102, 247003]. This study, carried out on 3 AuNWs of different lengths (1.0, 1.2 and 1.9 $\mu $m), showed a precipitous drop in the resistance to a fully superconducting state of the 1.0um wire; while the 1.2$\mu $m wire made the transition in 2 steps, and the 1.9$\mu $m wire never fully transitioned to a zero resistance state. This behaviour lead to the coinage of the so-called ``mini-gap'' phase in proximity induced superconducting nanowires. We are currently investigating the robustness of this ``mini-gap'' regime by parametric variations to the gold nanowire system. Looking at features such as crystallinity, AuNW diameter, electrode material, and directional magnetic field dependence, we are attempting to further illuminate the nature of this new ``mini-gap'' state.

Authors

  • Brian Cooper

    The Pennsylvania State University

  • Jian Wang

    Physics Department, Penn State University, Physics Dept., Penn State University, University Park PA 16802, Penn State University, Center for Nanoscale Science and Materials Research Institute, Penn State University, University Park PA 16802., The Pennsylvania State University

  • Moses Chan

    The Pennsylvania State University, Physics Department, Penn State University, Pennsylvania State University, Physics Dept., Penn State University, University Park PA 16802, Penn State University

  • Meenakshi Singh

    Physics Department, Penn State University, The Pennsylvania State University

  • Mingliang Tian

    The Pennsylvania State University

  • Jainendra Jain

    Penn State University, The Pennsylvania State University