The Stabilization of Superconductivity by Magnetic Field in Out-of-Equilibrium Nanowires

Yu Chen, Yen-Hsiang Lin, S. D. Snyder, A. M. Goldman

Published 2010-02-10, updated 2010-08-02Version 2

A systematic study has been carried out on the previously reported "magnetic-field-induced superconductivity" of Zn nanowires. By varying parameters such as magnetic field orientation and wire length, the results provide evidence that the phenomenon is a nonequilibrium effect associated with the boundary electrodes. They also suggest there are two length scales involved, the superconducting coherence length and quasiparticle relaxation length. As wire lengths approach either of these length scales, the effect weakens. We demonstrate that it is appropriate to consider the effect to be a stabilization of superconductivity, that has been suppressed by an applied current.