On the probability of quantum phase slips in superconducting nanowires

Abstract

The paper discusses mechanisms for decay of supercurrents in ultrathin superconducting wires driven by quantum fluctuations. We argue that momentum conservation strongly suppresses probability of such decay and estimate the rates for two decay channels: potential scattering of condensate due to the disorder and attenuation of the plasmon mode due to the presence of normal component, i.e., Ohmic losses. We find that while both mechanisms yield non-zero decay rates, their values are too small to provide any substantial contribution to the resistivity of the wires. The rate associated with the latter mechanism, however, is much greater, and it is possible that under the appropriate conditions dissipation may lead to appreciable enhancement of quantum phase slip transitions.