Stabilizing Superconductivity in Nanowires by Coupling to Dissipative Environments

TL;DR

This paper develops a theoretical framework showing that dissipation from the environment can stabilize superconductivity in finite-length nanowires, counteracting quantum phase slips that would otherwise destroy it, and explains recent experimental observations.

Contribution

It introduces a model demonstrating how dissipation stabilizes superconductivity in nanowires, providing a new understanding of the anti-proximity effect.

Findings

Dissipation prevents quantum phase slips from destroying superconductivity.

Superconductivity can be stabilized in nanowires through environmental coupling.

The theory explains recent experimental observations of the anti-proximity effect.

Abstract

We present a theory for a finite-length superconducting nanowire coupled to an environment. We show that in the absence of dissipation quantum phase slips always destroy superconductivity, even at zero temperature. Dissipation stabilizes the superconducting phase. We apply this theory to explain the "anti-proximity effect" recently seen by Tian et. al. in Zinc nanowires.