Single-charge escape processes through a hybrid turnstile in a dissipative environment

TL;DR

This study examines charge escape processes in a hybrid superconductor-normal metal turnstile within a dissipative environment, revealing long electron hold times and potential for electrical metrology applications.

Contribution

It introduces a hybrid turnstile device with a high-ohmic environment and models environmental activation, advancing understanding of charge trapping and escape in such systems.

Findings

Electron hold times of 2-20 seconds observed.

Semi-phenomenological model successfully explains switching statistics.

Device shows promise for electrical metrology.

Abstract

We have investigated the static, charge-trapping properties of a hybrid superconductor---normal metal electron turnstile embedded into a high-ohmic environment. The device includes a local Cr resistor on one side of the turnstile, and a superconducting trapping island on the other side. The electron hold times, t ~ 2-20s, in our two-junction circuit are comparable with those of typical multi-junction, N >= 4, normal-metal single-electron tunneling devices. A semi-phenomenological model of the environmental activation of tunneling is applied for the analysis of the switching statistics. The experimental results are promising for electrical metrology.