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Testing the kibble-zurek scenario with annular josephson tunnel junctions
1Theoretical Physics, Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College, Prince Consort Road, London SW7 2BZ, United Kingdom.
Physical Review Letters
|October 13, 2000
Summary
Experiments with Josephson tunnel junctions support Zurek's model for phase transitions in condensed matter. This provides further evidence for understanding how these transitions occur in systems like superconductors.
Area of Science:
- Condensed matter physics
- Cosmology
- Quantum optics
Background:
- Kibble described early Universe phase transitions.
- Zurek proposed a model for condensed matter phase transitions.
- Previous experiments in 3He and superconductors supported Zurek's model.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide further experimental support for Zurek's scenario of phase transition onset.
- To investigate the applicability of Zurek's model in Josephson tunnel junctions.
Main Methods:
- Experimental investigation using annular Josephson tunnel junctions.
- Comparison of experimental results with Zurek's theoretical framework.
Main Results:
- Experimental data from Josephson tunnel junctions align with Zurek's model.
- The experiments demonstrate the predictive power of Zurek's scenario.
Conclusions:
- Josephson tunnel junctions serve as a viable system for studying phase transition dynamics.
- The findings reinforce the universality of Zurek's mechanism for phase transitions across different physical systems.
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