We propose a transistorlike circuit including two serially connected segments of a narrow superconducting nanowire joint by a wider segment with a capacitively coupled gate in between. This circuit is made of amorphous NbSi film and embedded in a network of on-chip Cr microresistors ensuring a sufficiently high external electromagnetic impedance. Assuming a virtual regime of quantum phase slips (QPS) in two narrow segments of the wire, leading to quantum interference of voltages on these segments, this circuit is dual to the dc SQUID. Our samples demonstrated appreciable Coulomb blockade voltage (analog of critical current of the SQUIDs) and periodic modulation of this blockade by an electrostatic gate (analog of flux modulation in the SQUIDs). The model of this QPS transistor is discussed.

We present a detailed report of microwave irradiation of ultranarrow superconducting nanowires. In our nanofabricated circuits containing a superconducting NbSi nanowire, a dc blockade of current flow was observed at low temperatures below a critical voltage V c , a strong indicator of the existence of quantum phase-slip (QPS) in the nanowire. We describe the results of applying microwaves to these samples, using a range of frequencies and both continuous-wave and pulsed drive, in order to search for dual Shapiro steps which would constitute an unambiguous demonstration of quantum phase-slip. We observed no steps, and our subsequent thermal analysis suggests that the electron temperature in the series CrO resistors was significantly elevated above the substrate temperature, resulting in sufficient Johnson noise to wash out the steps. To understand the system and inform future work, we have constructed a numerical model of the dynamics of the circuit for dc and ac bias (both continuous-wave and pulsed drive signals) in the presence of Johnson noise. Using this model, we outline important design considerations for device and measurement parameters which should be used in any future experiment to enable the observation of dual Shapiro steps at experimentally accessible temperatures and, thus, lead to the development of a QPS-based quantum current standard.

The smaller the system, typically - the higher is the impact of fluctuations. In narrow superconducting wires sufficiently close to the critical temperature Tc thermal fluctuations are responsible for the experimentally observable finite resistance. Quite recently it became possible to fabricate sub-10 nm superconducting structures, where the finite resistivity was reported within the whole range of experimentally obtainable temperatures. The observation has been associated with quantum fluctuations capable to quench zero resistivity in superconducting nanowires even at temperatures T→0. Here we demonstrate that in tiny superconducting nanorings the same phenomenon is responsible for suppression of another basic attribute of superconductivity - persistent currents - dramatically affecting their magnitude, the period and the shape of the current-phase relation. The effect is of fundamental importance demonstrating the impact of quantum fluctuations on the ground state of a macroscopically coherent system, and should be taken into consideration in various nanoelectronic applications.

Abstract. We report a new approach for progressive and well-controlled downsizing of nanostructures below the 10 nm scale. Low energetic ion beam (Ar + ) is used for gentle surface erosion, progressively shrinking the dimensions with ~ 1 nm accuracy. The method enables shaping of nanostructure geometry and polishing the surface. The process is clean room / high vacuum compatible being suitable for various applications. Apart from technological advantages, the method enables study of various size phenomena on the same sample between sessions of ion beam treatment.

Hybrid normal metal -insulator -superconductor microstructures suitable for studying an interference of electrons were fabricated. The structures consist of a superconducting loop connected to a normal metal electrode through a tunnel barrier . An optical interferometer with a beam splitter can be considered as a classical analogue for this system. All measurements were performed at temperatures well below 1 K. The interference can be observed as periodic oscillations of the tunnel current (voltage) through the junction at fixed bias voltage (current) as a function of a perpendicular magnetic field. The magnitude of the oscillations depends on the bias point. It reaches a maximum at energy eV which is close to the superconducting gap and decreases with an increase of temperature. Surprisingly, the period of the oscillations in units of magnetic flux ∆Φ is equal neither to h/e nor to h/2e, but significantly exceeds these values for larger loop circumferences. The origin of the phenomena is not clear.