We describe the concept and experimental demonstration of primary thermometry based on a four probe measurement of a single tunnel junction embedded within four arrays of junctions. We show that in this configuration random sample specific and environment-related errors can be avoided. This method relates temperature directly to Boltzmann constant, which will form the basis of the definition of temperature and realization of official temperature scales in the future.

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The authors report a method to achieve Al–AlOx–Al tunnel junctions with high specific resistance in a controlled manner using a double oxidation technique. The technique is based on the standard method for oxidation repeated on an additional Al layer. The tunnel junctions were characterized with standard methods, such as comparison of room temperature resistance with liquid helium resistance and the authors found them to be of comparable quality to junctions fabricated with standard single oxidation. Fitting with the Simmons model suggests that both the barrier width and barrier height are consistent with those obtained in a single oxidation step. The junction specific capacitance was determined at low temperature to be 68fF∕μm2. These junctions, employed in low temperature measurements and applications, demonstrate expected and stable conductance characteristics. The double oxidation method is straightforward to implement in a basic setup for tunnel junction fabrication.

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We present results on phase-slip phenomena in a superconducting wire which can be considered as quasi-one dimensional (1D) if its characteristic transverse dimension √ σ (σ being the cross section) is smaller than the coherence length (T). The shape of the bottom part of the resistive transition R(T) of a 1D superconducting strip is described by the model of phase slips activation. If the wire is infinitely long, then there is always a finite probability that a small part of the sample is instantly driven normal.

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