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Title
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Superconducting nanofilms: Andreev-type states induced by quantum confinement
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Author
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Abstract
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| Quantum confinement of the transverse electron motion is the major effect governing the superconducting properties of high-quality metallic nanofilms, leading to a nonuniform transverse distribution of the superconducting condensate. In this case the order parameter can exhibit significant local enhancements due to these quantum-size effects and, consequently, quasiparticles have lower energies when they avoid the local enhancements of the pair condensate. Such excitations can be considered as new Andreev-type quasiparticles but now induced by quantum confinement. By numerically solving the Bogoliubovde Gennes equations and using Anderson's approximate solution to these equations, we: (a) formulate a criterion for such new Andreev-type states (NATS) and (b) study their effect on the superconducting characteristics in metallic nanofilms. We also argue that nanofilms made of low-carrier-density materials, e.g., of superconducting semiconductors, can be a more optimal choice for the observations of NATS and other quantum-size superconducting effects. |
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Language
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English
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Source (journal)
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Physical review : B : solid state. - Lancaster, Pa, 1970 - 1978
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Publication
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Lancaster, Pa
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2008
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ISSN
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0556-2805
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DOI
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10.1103/PHYSREVB.78.054505
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Volume/pages
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78
:5
(2008)
, p. 054505,1-054505,8
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ISI
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000259368200109
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Full text (Publisher's DOI)
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Full text (open access)
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