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Atomic Layer Deposition of Tunnel Barriers for Superconducting Tunnel Junctions

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Abstract

We demonstrate a technique for creating high quality, large area tunnel junction barriers for normal–insulating–superconducting or superconducting–insulating–superconducting tunnel junctions. We use atomic layer deposition and an aluminum wetting layer to form a nanometer scale insulating barrier on gold films. Electronic transport measurements confirm that single-particle electron tunneling is the dominant transport mechanism, and the measured current–voltage curves demonstrate the viability of using these devices as self-calibrated, low temperature thermometers with a wide range of tunable parameters. This work represents a promising first step for superconducting technologies with deposited tunnel junction barriers. The potential for fabricating high performance junction refrigerators is also highlighted.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the help and useful discussion from Joel Ullom and Peter Lowell at the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Boulder, Co. S.M. would like to acknowledge the American Association of University Women for fellowship funding.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of California, San Diego, CASS 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, CA , 92093-0424, USA

    Stephanie M. Moyerman, Guangyuan Feng, Lisa Krayer, Nathan Stebor & Brian G. Keating

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  1. Stephanie M. Moyerman
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  2. Guangyuan Feng
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  3. Lisa Krayer
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  4. Nathan Stebor
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  5. Brian G. Keating
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Correspondence to Stephanie M. Moyerman.

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Moyerman, S.M., Feng, G., Krayer, L. et al. Atomic Layer Deposition of Tunnel Barriers for Superconducting Tunnel Junctions. J Low Temp Phys 176, 237–242 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10909-014-1114-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10909-014-1114-8

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