Temperature and phase dynamics in superconducting weak-link

TL;DR

This paper presents a thermal model for superconducting weak-links revealing a new dynamic regime with stable temperature and voltage, impacting current-voltage behavior and experimental understanding.

Contribution

It introduces a novel dynamic regime in superconducting weak-links where temperature and phase stabilize, expanding understanding of their thermal and electrical behavior.

Findings

Discovery of a new hysteretic regime in I-V characteristics.

Identification of a stable temperature regime between bath and critical temperature.

Analysis of fluctuation effects on the dynamic regime.

Abstract

A time dependent thermal model for a superconducting constriction based weak-link (WL) is discussed for investigating the deterministic dynamics of its temperature and phase. A new dynamic regime is found where a non-zero voltage exists across the WL and its temperature stabilizes between the bath temperature and superconductor's critical temperature. This regime exists over a limited bias current range and gives rise to a new hysteretic regime in current-voltage characteristics. We also discuss the effect of fluctuations on the current-voltage characteristics and experimental implications of this dynamic regime.