Resistance of 2D superconducting films

Abstract

We consider the problem of finite resistance $R$ in superconducting films with geometry of a strip of width $W$ near zero temperature. The resistance is generated by vortex configurations of the phase field. In the first type of process, quantum phase slip, the vortex worldline in 2+1 dimensional space-time is space-like (i.e., the superconducting phase winds in time and space). In the second type, vortex tunneling, the worldline is time-like (i.e., the phase winds in the two spatial directions) and connects opposite edges of the film. For moderately disordered samples, processes of second type favor a train of vortices, each of which tunnels only across a fraction of the sample. Optimization with respect to the number of vortices yields a tunneling distance of the order of the coherence length $\xi$, and the train of vortices becomes equivalent to a quantum phase slip. Based on this theory, we find the resistance $\ln R\sim -gW/\xi$, where $g$ is the dimensionless normal-state conductance. Incorporation of quantum fluctuations indicates a quantum phase transition to an insulating state for $g\lesssim 1$.

arXiv comment5 pages + supplement

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Cited by in corpus (5)

• Multifractally-enhanced superconductivity in two-dimensional systems with spin-orbit coupling
• Natural width of the superconducting transition in epitaxial TiN films
• Nonlinear diode effect and Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless transition in purely two-dimensional noncentrosymmetric superconductors
• Slow electron-phonon relaxation controls the dynamics of the superconducting resistive transition
• Transport anomalies in multiband superconductors near quantum critical point