Anomalous metallic phase and reduced critical current in superconducting nanowires due to inverse proximity effect

Fuente: arXiv
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Auteurs principaux: Oliveira, G. M., Steffensen, G. O., Iglesias, I. Casal, Gomez, M., Ibabe, A., Kanne, T., Nygard, J., Aguado, R., Yeyati, A. Levy, Lee, E. J. H.
Format: Preprint
Publié: 2025
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author Oliveira, G. M.
Steffensen, G. O.
Iglesias, I. Casal
Gomez, M.
Ibabe, A.
Kanne, T.
Nygard, J.
Aguado, R.
Yeyati, A. Levy
Lee, E. J. H.
author_facet Oliveira, G. M.
Steffensen, G. O.
Iglesias, I. Casal
Gomez, M.
Ibabe, A.
Kanne, T.
Nygard, J.
Aguado, R.
Yeyati, A. Levy
Lee, E. J. H.
contents Superconductor-to-metal transitions (SMTs) are key probes of mesoscopic superconductivity, but their interpretation can be complicated by device geometry and measurement conditions. Here, we study epitaxial InAs-Al nanowires and show that metallic contacts induce an inverse proximity effect (IPE), creating weak spots in the superconductor that strongly suppress the critical current and give rise to an anomalous metallic phase. Using transport measurements supported by Usadel theory, we demonstrate that this phase originates from the contact-induced weakening of superconductivity together with Joule heating, rather than intrinsic material properties. Our findings reveal an overlooked observer effect in mesoscopic superconductors and provide essential guidance for interpreting SMTs and for designing devices based on these systems.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2512_02828
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Anomalous metallic phase and reduced critical current in superconducting nanowires due to inverse proximity effect
Oliveira, G. M.
Steffensen, G. O.
Iglesias, I. Casal
Gomez, M.
Ibabe, A.
Kanne, T.
Nygard, J.
Aguado, R.
Yeyati, A. Levy
Lee, E. J. H.
Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics
Superconductivity
Superconductor-to-metal transitions (SMTs) are key probes of mesoscopic superconductivity, but their interpretation can be complicated by device geometry and measurement conditions. Here, we study epitaxial InAs-Al nanowires and show that metallic contacts induce an inverse proximity effect (IPE), creating weak spots in the superconductor that strongly suppress the critical current and give rise to an anomalous metallic phase. Using transport measurements supported by Usadel theory, we demonstrate that this phase originates from the contact-induced weakening of superconductivity together with Joule heating, rather than intrinsic material properties. Our findings reveal an overlooked observer effect in mesoscopic superconductors and provide essential guidance for interpreting SMTs and for designing devices based on these systems.
title Anomalous metallic phase and reduced critical current in superconducting nanowires due to inverse proximity effect
topic Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics
Superconductivity
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2512.02828