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Electronic Coolers Based on Superconducting Tunnel Junctions: Fundamentals and Applications

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Abstract

Thermo-electric transport at the nano-scale is a rapidly developing topic, in particular in superconductor-based hybrid devices. In this review paper, we first discuss the fundamental principles of electronic cooling in mesoscopic superconducting hybrid structures, the related limitations and applications. We review recent work performed in Grenoble on the effects of Andreev reflection, photonic heat transport, phonon cooling, as well as on an innovative fabrication technique for powerful coolers.

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Acknowledgments

This work was funded by the EU FRP7 low temperature infrastructure MICROKELVIN and by Institut universitaire de France. Samples were fabricated at Nanofab platform — CNRS. This work has been led in collaboration with S. Rajauria, L. M. A. Pascal, A. Fay, B. Pannetier, A. Vasenko, T. Crozes and T. Fournier. We acknowledge fruitful discussions along the years with J. P. Pekola, F. Giazotto and M. Meschke.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Université Grenoble Alpes, Institut Néel, Grenoble, France

    H. Courtois, H. Q. Nguyen & C. B. Winkelmann

  2. Institut Néel, CNRS, Grenoble, France

    H. Courtois, H. Q. Nguyen & C. B. Winkelmann

  3. O.V. Lounasmaa Laboratory, Aalto University, Helsinki, Finland

    H. Q. Nguyen

  4. Université Grenoble Alpes, LPMMC, Grenoble, France

    F. W. J. Hekking

  5. CNRS, LPMMC, Grenoble, France

    F. W. J. Hekking

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  1. H. Courtois
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  2. F. W. J. Hekking
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  3. H. Q. Nguyen
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  4. C. B. Winkelmann
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Correspondence to H. Courtois.

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Courtois, H., Hekking, F.W.J., Nguyen, H.Q. et al. Electronic Coolers Based on Superconducting Tunnel Junctions: Fundamentals and Applications. J Low Temp Phys 175, 799–812 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10909-014-1101-0

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