Single superconducting thin film devices for applications in high T/sub c/ materials circuits

The authors investigated several different devices based on regions of weak superconductivity and multiple parallel links in thin films. Devices were fabricated with Nb and YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7-x/ films. Hysteretic symmetric and asymmetric I-V (current-voltage) curves have been observed. Flux flow was indicated. Device switching properties and the dependence of the flux-flow signature in the I-V curve on applied magnetic field were explored. Contrary to vortex flow devices based on Josephson junctions, the devices described here do not possess a tunnelling barrier and are made of only a single superconducting layer. Hence they should be applicable to electronic circuits based on high-T/sub c/ superconducting materials without the need for tunnel junctions.<
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