Supraconductors of Small Dimensions

Abstract

MENDELSSOHN¹ has suggested that the high threshold value of supraconductive alloys and impure metals might be confined to regions of very small dimensions. In connexion with subsequent experiments², it was pointed out that for thermodynamical reasons there might exist a causal relation between small dimensions and high threshold value, and that supraconductivity might persist to a higher field strength in sufficiently fine wires than in the massive metal at the same temperature. This assumption is supported by results obtained in Toronto³ on supra-conductive films deposited on another metal. Owing to the possibility, however, that in this case the phenomena may have been influenced by the formation of an alloy at the boundary of the two metals, definite proof cannot be obtained by these experiments.