Quantum fluctuations in percolating superconductors: an evolution with effective dimensionality

We investigate percolating films of superconducting nanoparticles and observe an evolution from superconducting to metallic to insulating states as the surface coverage of the nanoparticles is decreased. We demonstrate that this evolution is correlated with a reduction in the effective/dominant dimensionality of the system, from 2D to 1D to 0D, and that the physics in each regime is dominated by vortices, phase slips and tunnelling respectively. Finally we construct phase diagrams that map the various observed states as a function of surface coverage (or, equivalently, normal state resistance), temperature and measurement current.