Local thermometry technique based on proximity-coupled superconductor/normal-metal/superconductor devices

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel local thermometry method utilizing proximity-coupled SNS devices, enabling precise measurement of electron temperature and small temperature gradients in mesoscopic samples at low temperatures.

Contribution

The paper presents a new thermometry technique based on SNS heterostructures that significantly improves local temperature measurement capabilities in mesoscopic systems.

Findings

Effective measurement of local electron temperature Te.

Ability to detect small temperature gradients across micron-scale samples.

Potential for quantitative thermal property analysis of mesoscopic devices.

Abstract

In mesoscopic superconductor/normal-metal/superconductor (SNS) heterostructures, it is known that the resistance of the normal metal between the superconductors has a strong temperature dependence. Based on this phenomenon, we have developed a new type of thermometer, which dramatically enhances our ability to measure the local electron temperature Te at low temperatures. Using this technique, we have been able to measure small temperature gradients across a micron-size sample, opening up the possibility of quantitatively measuring the thermal properties of mesoscopic devices.