Abstract
We report observations of an inhomogeneous state consisting of alternating superconducting and normal regions which occurs upon exceeding the critical current density in thin granular aluminum films. The results are in quantitative agreement with recent theoretical predictions, based on a model in which only the superconducting and fully normal states are stable. We find the normal regions are maintained at a temperature above T c by the heat dissipation due to the transport current. The breakdown occurs at critical currents smaller than predicted and is apparently a flux-flow instability brought about by a residual perpendicular field.
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Based on work perfomed under the auspices of the U.S. Energy Research and Development Administration.
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Gray, K.E. A new inhomogeneous state of superconducting films. J Low Temp Phys 23, 679–686 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00116303
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00116303