Quantum Phase Slips and Transport in Ultrathin Superconducting Wires

TLDR: In this article, a microscopic study of the quantum fluctuations of the superconducting order parameter in thin homogeneous super-conducting wires at all temperatures below T{sub c}.

Abstract: We present a microscopic study of the quantum fluctuations of the superconducting order parameter in thin homogeneous superconducting wires at all temperatures below T{sub c}. The rate of quantum phase-slip processes determines the resistance R(T) of the wire, which is observable in very thin wires, even at low temperatures. Furthermore, we predict a new low-temperature metallic phase below a critical wire thickness in the 10-nm range, in which quantum phase slips proliferate. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}