On the theory of normal zone propagation in superconductors

This paper contains a study of properties of stable normal (N) regions of finite size - resistive domains (R.D.), in superconductors (S) with transport current I. It is demonstrated that in homogeneous superconductors R.D. are moving due to thermoelectric effect (Thomson heat) while the rate of R.D., vd, for different materials ranges from 1 to 10²cm/s. It is also shown that the thermoelectric effect leads to asymmetry in the rate of the NS boundary Δ v relative to the direction of I, with . The conditions for localizing R.D. in an inhomogeneous superconductor have been obtained, as well as the I-V characterictics of a sample with R.D. Hysteresis effects are discussed associated with the localization of R.D and the thermoelectric effect.