Single-fluxon controlled resistance switching in centimeter-long superconducting gallium-indium eutectic nanowires

Weiwei Zhao, Jesse L. Bischof, Jimmy Hutasoit, Xin Liu, Thomas C. Fitzgibbons, John R. Hayes, Pier J.A. Sazio, Chaoxing Liu, Jainendra K. Jain, John V. Badding, M. H.W. Chan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Scopus citations

Abstract

The ability to manipulate a single quantum object, such as a single electron or a single spin, to induce a change in a macroscopic observable lies at the heart of nanodevices of the future. We report an experiment wherein a single superconducting flux quantum, or a fluxon, can be exploited to switch the resistance of a nanowire between two discrete values. The experimental geometry consists of centimeter-long nanowires of superconducting Ga-In eutectic, with spontaneously formed Ga nanodroplets along the length of the nanowire. The nonzero resistance occurs when a Ga nanodroplet traps one or more superconducting fluxons, thereby driving a Josephson weak-link created by a second nearby Ga nanodroplet normal. The fluxons can be inserted or flipped by careful manipulation of the magnetic field or temperature to produce one of many metastable states of the system.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)153-158
Number of pages6
JournalNano letters
Volume15
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 14 2015

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Bioengineering
  • General Chemistry
  • General Materials Science
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Mechanical Engineering

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