Superconducting nanowires as quantum phase-slip junctions

Abstract

For a superconductor, charge and phase are dual quantum variables. A phase-slip event in a superconducting nanowire changes the phase difference over the wire by 2π; it is the dual process to Cooper-pair tunnelling in a Josephson junction. Phase slip by thermal activation at high temperatures is well understood1. Phase slip by quantum tunnelling at low temperatures is considered plausible2,3, but experiments on the resistance of nanowires4,5 are inconclusive on this point. Büchler et al. 6 conclude that successive quantum phase slip (QPS) events can be coherent. Here, we demonstrate that, if it exists, coherent QPS is the exact dual to Josephson tunnelling. A narrow nanowire should act as a QPS junction that shows kinetic capacitance, a plasma resonance and current plateaus of interest for nanoelectronic applications. We suggest feasible experiments to unequivocally confirm the existence for coherent QPS.

Cite this article

Mooij, J., Nazarov, Y. Superconducting nanowires as quantum phase-slip junctions. Nature Phys 2, 169–172 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/nphys234

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