Giant Mutual Proximity Effects in Ferromagnetic/Superconducting Nanostructures

V. T. Petrashov; I. A. Sosnin; I. Cox; A. Parsons; C. Troadec

doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.83.3281

Giant Mutual Proximity Effects in Ferromagnetic/Superconducting Nanostructures

V. T. Petrashov, I. A. Sosnin, I. Cox, A. Parsons, and C. Troadec

Phys. Rev. Lett. 83, 3281 – Published 18 October 1999

Abstract

A strong mutual influence of superconductors (S) and ferromagnetic (F) conductors in hybrid $F / S$ ( $Ni / Al$ ) nanostructures is observed. The proximity-induced conductance on the F side, $Δ G$ , is 2 orders of magnitude larger than that predicted by theory. A crossover from positive to negative $Δ G$ takes place upon an increase in the $F / S$ interface barrier resistance. Reentrance of the superconductors to the normal state reciprocated by changes on the F side has been found in low applied magnetic fields with new peaks in the differential resistance as an effect of the saturation magnetization. An analysis has been developed providing a base for a numerical description of the system.

Received 1 December 1998

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.83.3281

Authors & Affiliations

V. T. Petrashov¹, I. A. Sosnin^1,2, I. Cox¹, A. Parsons¹, and C. Troadec¹

¹Department of Physics, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, United Kingdom
²Institute of Microelectronics Technology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Chernogolovka, Moscow District, 142432 Russia