Dissipative phases across the superconductor-to-insulator transition

• DOI: 10.1038/srep35834
• Publication Date: 2016-10-27T09:11:36Z
• Authors: F. Couëdo; O. Crauste; A. A. Drillien; V. Humbert; L. Bergé; C. A. Marrache-Ki...; L. Dumoulin
• Keywords: [PHYS.COND.CM-S]Physics [physics]/Condensed Matter [cond-mat]/Superconductivity [cond-mat.supr-con]; Superconductivity (cond-mat.supr-con); Condensed Matter - Superconductivity; 0103 physical sciences; 500; FOS: Physical sciences; 530; 01 natural sciences; Article

Competing phenomena in low dimensional systems can generate exotic electronic phases, either through symmetry breaking or a non-trivial topology. In two-dimensional (2D) systems, the interplay between superfluidity, disorder and repulsive interactions is especially fruitful this respect although both exact nature of phases microscopic processes at play are still open questions. particular, 2D, once superconductivity destroyed by disorder, an insulating ground state expected to emerge, as result direct superconductor-to-insulator quantum phase transition. such no metallic theoretically survive slightest disorder. Here we map out diagram amorphous NbSi thin films functions film thickness, with two superconducting ones. These dissipative states, defined resistance which extrapolates finite value zero temperature limit, each bear specific dependence on We argue that they originate from inhomogeneous destruction superconductivity, even if system morphologically homogeneous. Our results suggest fluctuations favor states would not otherwise exist.