Superconducting quantum phase transitions tuned by magnetic impurity and magnetic field in ultrathin a-Pb films

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Published 9 August 2006 2006 EDP Sciences
, , Citation J. S. Parker et al 2006 EPL 75 950 DOI 10.1209/epl/i2006-10198-1

0295-5075/75/6/950

Abstract

Superconducting quantum phase transitions tuned by disorder (d), paramagnetic impurity (MI) and perpendicular magnetic field (B) have been studied in homogeneously disordered ultrathin a-Pb films. The MI-tuned transition is characterized by progressive suppression of the critical temperature to zero and a continuous transition to a weakly insulating normal state with increasing MI density. In all important aspects, the d-tuned transition closely resembles the MI-tuned transition and both appear to be fermionic in nature. The B-tuned transition is qualitatively different and probably bosonic. In the critical region it exhibits transport behavior that suggests a B-induced mesoscale phase separation and presence of Cooper pairing in the insulating state.

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10.1209/epl/i2006-10198-1