Physics of Normal Metal-Superconductor Microstructures

该计划将研究由普通金属(N)和超导体(S)组成的介观结构中的电子输运，这两种状态的电子态截然不同。目标是发展对这种N-S结构中预期发生的新的相相干电子输运的科学理解，并首次测试最近发展的解释这种结构中的量子输运的理论。PI将进行三种N-S结构的创新设计、制造和传输测量：微结、复合导线和多重连接结构。研究了N和S两种相相干之间的相互作用及其对量子输运的影响。该研究或将导致新的量子输运机制，或将对单组分结构中的量子输运机制进行修正。当金属样品的尺寸减小到亚微米范围时，得到介观结构。在这样的系统中，电子的粒子波二象性在电流的输运中起着重要的作用，并且出现了一种新的鲜为人知的电子机制。本研究将探讨普通金属和超导体这两种电子结构截然不同的介观结构中的电子输运。PI将研究新的量子电子输运，并为新的理论提供测试。研究内容包括微结构的创新设计和制造、复合导线和多重连接的正常超导体结构，以及输运测量。这一领域的研究将有利于器件小型化和集成化的持续进程。＊＊＊

9414160 Xiao The program will investigate electronic transport in mesoscopic structures composed of a normal metal (N) and a supercpnductor (S), two states with sharply contrasted electronic states. The objective is to develop scientific understanding of the new phase- coherent electronic transport expected to occur in such N-S structures, and to test, for the first time, recently developed theories which explain quantum transport in such structures. The PI will carry innovative design, fabrication, and transport measurements of three N-S structures: microjunctions, composite wires, and multiply connected structures. Important issues such as interplay between the two types of phase coherence in N and S, and its effects on the quantum transport will be invested. The research will either lead to novel quantum transport mechanism or will modify that in mono-component structures. % % % Mesoscopic structures are obtained when the size of metallic samples is reduced to submicron range. In such systems, the particle wave duality of the electrons plays an important role in the transport of electrical current, and a new less understood electronic mechanism emerges. This research will investigate the electronic transport in mesoscopic structures composed of a normal metal and a superconductor, which are two states with sharply contrasted electronic structures. The PI will investigate the new quantum electronic transport and provide test for new theories. The research includes innovative design and fabrication of microstructures, composites wire, and multiply connected normal- superconductor structures, and transport measurements. Research in this area will benefit the continuing process of device miniaturization and integration. ***