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Theory of the superconducting proximity effect

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The Gor'kov theory of the proximity effect has been solved to a high degree of accuracy by a numerical variational method for a system of two metallic films of finite thickness. The results are analyzed in the context of exact sum rules for the Gor'kov theory and compared with those obtained from various approximate theories, including diffusion theories. It is found that for thin films the order parameter varies considerably more rapidly than is predicted by local theories (e.g., Ginzburg-Landau) and that the different diffusion theories are quite unreliable.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

    William Silvert

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  1. William Silvert
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Supported by the National Research Council of Canada.

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Silvert, W. Theory of the superconducting proximity effect. J Low Temp Phys 20, 439–477 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00120864

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00120864

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