Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 2, 2026

Optimized Setup and Protocol for Magnetic Domain Imaging with In Situ Hysteresis Measurement
Published on: November 7, 2017
Origin of hysteresis in a proximity josephson junction
H Courtois1, M Meschke, J T Peltonen
1Low Temperature Laboratory, Helsinki University of Technology, P.O. Box 3500, 02015 TKK, Finland.
Abstract:
We investigate hysteresis in the transport properties of superconductor-normal-metal-superconductor (S-N-S) junctions at low temperatures by measuring directly the electron temperature in the normal metal. Our results demonstrate unambiguously that the hysteresis results from an increase of the normal-metal electron temperature once the junction switches to the resistive state. In our geometry, the electron temperature increase is governed by the thermal resistance of the superconducting electrodes of the junction.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Biasing of Metal-Semiconductor Junctions
In Schottky junctions, where the semiconductor is n-type, applying a positive voltage to the metal relative to the semiconductor reduces its Fermi...
Biasing of P-N Junction
In equilibrium, no external voltage is applied across the p-n junction. The depletion region is formed at the junction interface due to the diffusion of carriers, which leaves behind charged dopants, acceptors on the p-side, and donors on the n-side. These immobile charges create an electric field that prevents further diffusion of carriers. The related energy band...
Metal-Semiconductor Junctions
Schottky Barriers
Schottky barriers arise when a metal with a work function (Φm) contacts a semiconductor with a different work function (Φs). Initially, electrons transfer until the Fermi levels of the metal and semiconductor align at equilibrium. For instance, if Φm > Φs, the semiconductor Fermi level is higher than the metal's before contact. The semiconductor's...
Switching of BJT
Cut-off Mode ("Off" State): In this state, both the emitter-base and collector-base junctions are reverse-biased. The...
Characteristics of JFET
The core of a JFET's operation is controlling drain current by modulating the gate-source voltage. When the drain and gate voltage are set to zero, the JFET exhibits no net current flow, representing a state of equilibrium. The drain current increases linearly as the...
MOSFET: Depletion Mode
The primary characteristic of depletion-mode MOSFETs is their ability to conduct current between the drain and source terminals without gate bias. This inherent conductivity arises...

