Giant proximity effect in cuprate superconductors.
Using an advanced molecular beam epitaxy system, we have reproducibly synthesized atomically smooth films of high-temperature superconductors and uniform trilayer junctions with virtually perfect interfaces. We found that supercurrent runs through very thick barriers. We can rule out pinholes and microshorts; this "giant proximity effect" (GPE) is intrinsic. It defies the conventional explanation; it might originate in resonant tunneling through pair states in an almost-superconducting barrier. GPE may also be significant for superconducting electronics, since thick barriers are easier to fabricate.
Bozovic
I
I
Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York 11973-5000, USA. bozovic@bnl.gov
Logvenov
G
G
Verhoeven
M A J
MA
Caputo
P
P
Goldobin
E
E
Beasley
M R
MR