Superconductivity of very thin films: The superconductor–insulator transition

Abstract

The study of thin superconducting films has been an important component of the science of superconductivity for more than six decades. It played a major role in the development of currently accepted views of the macroscopic and microscopic nature of the superconducting state. In recent years the focus of research in the field has shifted to the study of ultrathin films and surface and interface layers. This has permitted the exploration of one of the important topics of condensed matter physics, the superconductor-insulator transition. This review will discuss this phenomenon as realized in the study of metallic films, cuprates, and metallic interfaces. These are in effect model systems for behaviors that may be found in more complex systems of contemporary interest.

Vortex variable range hopping in a conventional superconducting film

“…If one neglects their Coulomb interaction this should lead to conventional Mott VRH with a positive sign in the exponent of Eq. (1). We see that qualitatively such an explanation seems to work.…”

Modified Pechini Synthesis of Oxide Powders and Thin Films

“…Superconducting thin films have been an important part of the science of superconductivity for more than six decades (Lin et al 2015). Potential applications for high-temperature superconducting films include high-frequency electronics, microwave communications and magnetic field detectors (Norton 2003).…”

Superconducting phase transitions in disordered NbTiN films

“…The direct disorder-driven SIT is observed, for example, in indium oxide InO x [8][9][10] and titanium nitride TiN 11,12 films. At present, the interrelation between these mechanisms as well as the nature of the possible intermediate Bose metal [13][14][15][16] still are not completely understood and are intensively debated 2,17 .…”