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Diffusive instability in optically excited superconducting films

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Abstract

We show that there is a large class of quasiparticle distributions, qualitatively similar to those predicted for optically excited superconductors, that may lead to a spatial instability driven by quasiparticle diffusion. The resultant inhomogeneous state would consist of distinct regions characterized by a length scale λ (quasiparticle diffusion length) and different energy gaps. We discuss the dynamics of this inhomogeneous state, and its experimental implications.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts

    L. N. Smith

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  1. L. N. Smith
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Work supported in part by JSEP, ONR, and NSF.

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Smith, L.N. Diffusive instability in optically excited superconducting films. J Low Temp Phys 28, 519–533 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00661447

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00661447

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