# Field-dependent nonlinear surface resistance and its optimization by surface nano-structuring in superconductors

## TL;DR

This paper develops a theory for the nonlinear surface resistance of dirty superconductors under strong RF fields, considering impurities and surface nanostructuring, to optimize superconducting RF performance.

## Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive model accounting for impurities and surface layers, revealing how nanostructuring can minimize nonlinear RF losses in superconductors.

## Key findings

- Minimum surface resistance occurs at specific RF field amplitudes.
- Paramagnetic impurities can lower surface resistance over a range of fields.
- Surface nanostructuring can further reduce surface resistance below ideal surfaces.

## Abstract

We propose a theory of nonlinear surface resistance of a dirty superconductor in a strong radio-frequency (RF) field, taking into account magnetic and nonmagnetic impurities, finite quasiparticle lifetimes, and a thin proximity-coupled normal layer characteristic of the oxide surface of many materials. The Usadel equations were solved to obtain the quasiparticle density of states (DOS) and the low-frequency surface resistance $R_s$ as functions of the RF field amplitude $H_0$. It is shown that the interplay of the broadening of the DOS peaks and a decrease of a quasiparticle gap caused by the RF currents produces a minimum in $R_s(H_0)$ and an extended rise of the quality factor $Q(H_0)$ with the RF field. Paramagnetic impurities shift the minimum in $R_s(H_0)$ to lower fields and can reduce $R_s(H_0)$ in a wide range of $H_0$. Subgap states in the DOS can give rise to a residual surface resistance while reducing $R_s$ at higher temperatures. A proximity-coupled normal layer at the surface can shift the minimum in $R_s(H_0)$ to either low and high fields and can reduce $R_s$ below that of an ideal surface. The theory shows that the behavior of $R_s(H_0)$ changes as the temperature and the RF frequency are increased, and the field dependence of $Q(H_0)$ can be very sensitive to the materials processing. Our results suggest that the nonlinear RF losses can be minimized by tuning pairbreaking effects at the surface using impurity management or surface nanostructuring.