# Voltage plateaus on V(I) curves of long quasi-one-dimensional superconducting wires (without microwave irradiation)

## TL;DR

This paper reports unexpected voltage plateaus in long quasi-one-dimensional superconducting aluminum wires under magnetic field, attributed to multiple Andreev reflections and quasiparticle overheating, indicating coexistence of superconductivity and dissipation.

## Contribution

It reveals novel voltage plateaus in superconducting wires that existing theories cannot explain, suggesting new physics in nonequilibrium superconductivity.

## Key findings

- Voltage plateaus are observed in V(I) curves.
- Plateaus are linked to multiple Andreev reflection.
- Results indicate coexistence of superconductivity and dissipation.

## Abstract

Almost constant voltage plateaus on the V(I) curves of long quasi-one-dimensional superconducting aluminum wires placed in magnetic field at temperatures T slightly below the critical superconducting temperature Tc were found which were unexpected for the sample geometry and parameters of the experiment. The plateaus are assumed to be subharmonics of a superconducting gap and arise due to the multiple Andreev reflection and strong quasiparticle overheating in the wire nonequilibrium region. The plateaus are evidence of coexistence of superconductivity and dissipation in such wires. The results presented in the paper could not be described by existing theories.