Subharmonic energy-gap structure in superconducting weak links.

Abstract

We present corrected calculations of the subharmonic energy-gap structure using the model of Octavio, Tinkham, Blonder, and Klapwijk, which includes the effect of normal scattering in the weak link. We show that while the overall predictions of this model do not change qualitatively, the details of the predicted curves are different and in better agreement with experiment. We also present calculation of the current-voltage characteristics and of the excess currents for T = 0, as the normal scattering parameter Z is varied. We also show how the calculation can be shortened using symmetry arguments and discuss how this model improves the understanding of the connection between weak links and tunnel junctions.