Time of nucleation of phase-slip centers in YBa2Cu3O7 superconducting bridges

Narrow YBa2Cu3O7 films, excited by pulses of supercritical current, had their nanosecond electric response monitored in zero applied magnetic field. Delayed voltage steps plus constant differential resistance, characteristic of phase-slip centers (PSC), are observed at all temperatures. The duration of the initial zero voltage state is well fit by Ginzburg-Landau based theories, with a gap relaxation time controlled by phonon escape. At higher levels of excitation, PSC’s give birth to slowly spreading normal hot spots. © 1998 The American Physical Society.