Inelastic Scattering in Mechanically Treated Niobium Superconducting Point Contacts, PAUL J. DOLAN, JR., Northeastern Illinois University, EUGENE V. SLOBODZIAN AND CHARLES W. SMITH, University of Maine -- Measurements of charge transport as a function of temperature, in normal metal/superconductor point contacts of silver on niobium, are analyzed using a modification1 of the BTK theory, to include both elastic and inelastic scattering. Experimental results show that quasiparticle inelastic scattering can be substantially enhanced by mechanical work-hardening of the niobium.  This study will be compared with data for inelastic scattering enhancement by thermal diffusion of hydrogen into the interstitial sites of the niobium lattice.

1.  A. Plecenik, M. Grajcar, S. Benacka, P. Seidel and A. Pfuch, Phys. Rev. B 49 10016 (1994).