Inelastic quasiparticle scattering in normal metal/superconductor point contacts

Abstract

Charge transport measurements, as a function of temperature, for normal metal/superconductor point contacts of silver on annealed niobium, on work hardened niobium and on niobium containing interstitial hydrogen, are compared to detailed predictions of the BTK theory, modified to include inelastic scattering. An analysis procedure for independently extracting the elastic scattering parameter, Z, and the inelastic scattering parameter, Γ, from transport data, is demonstrated. Results indicate that, to a good approximation, both Z and Γ are temperature independent and uncorrelated.