Energy gap reduction in superconducting tin films by quasiparticle injection

Abstract

In Sn-/-Sn-/-Pb tunneling structures the energy gap ΔSn of Sn is reduced by quasiparticle injection via single-particle tunneling between the Sn films. ΔSn as function of the quasiparticle density is probed by the Pb contact and found in agreement with the theory of Owen and Scalapino. An instability of the energy gap of Sn is observed at the critical gap reduction ratio predicted by this theory for a first-order phase transition.