Observation of interactions between two superconducting phase-slip centers

A superconducting microbridge has been used as a probe to detect quasiparticle diffusion currents and "heating", produced by a phase-slip center (PSC) in a second microbridge. The critical current of the detector is modulated by the voltage VPSC across the PSC. This modulation provides a measure of quasiparticle current IQ thru the PSC and gives IQ=VPSCRD for low voltages, RD being the high-current differential resistance of the PSC.