Wiedemann–Franz law analysis near a pair-breaking quantum phase transition in superconducting nanowires

• Published in: Physica. B, Condensed matter Vol. 403; no. 5; pp. 1309 - 1311
• Main Authors: Shah, Nayana, del Maestro, Adrian, Rosenow, Bernd, Sachdev, Subir
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.04.2008; Elsevier
• Subjects: Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Exact sciences and technology; Fluctuation effects; Physics; Quantum phase transitions; Superconducting materials (excluding high-tc compounds); Superconducting nanowires; Superconductivity; Thermoelectric transport; 74.40. + k; 74.78. - w; Superconducting nanowires; Quantum phase transitions; 74.78.Na; Fluctuation effects; 72.15. - v; Thermoelectric transport; Fluctuations; 72.15.-v; 74.78.-w; Quantum phase transition; Pair breaking; Wiedemann-Franz law; Microscopic model; Coherence length; Superconductors; Wires; 74.40.+k; Nanowires; Quantum theory
• ISSN: 0921-4526; 1873-2135
• DOI: 10.1016/j.physb.2007.10.133

Motivated by the recent progress in fabricating uniform and amorphous superconducting nanowires with diameter smaller than the coherence length, we theoretically study the transport behavior of such wires in the vicinity of a pair-breaking quantum phase transition. Such a realization of a superconductor quantum critical point is amenable to theoretical as well as experimental analysis. We construct a comprehensive theory in the entire neighborhood by combining the strengths of microscopic and effective approaches and analyze the Wiedemann–Franz law by using the effective quantum critical theory.