Controlling hysteresis in superconducting constrictions with a resistive shunt

TL;DR

This paper presents a method to control thermal hysteresis in superconducting constrictions by adding a nearby resistive shunt, enabling more stable superconducting behavior through a simple model.

Contribution

It introduces a practical approach to suppress hysteresis in superconducting constrictions using a resistive shunt placed close to the device.

Findings

Resistive shunt reduces thermal hysteresis in superconducting constrictions.

The placement of the shunt affects the current-switching dynamics.

A simple model explains the widened hysteresis-free temperature range.

Abstract

We demonstrate control of the thermal hysteresis in superconducting constrictions by adding a resistive shunt. In order to prevent thermal relaxation oscillations, the shunt resistor is placed in close vicinity of the constriction, making the inductive current-switching time smaller than the thermal equilibration time. We investigate the current-voltage characteristics of the same constriction with and without the shunt-resistor. The widening of the hysteresis-free temperature range is explained on the basis of a simple model.