Physical processes in proximity microbridges

Weakly superconducting circuits have been developed - based on the proximity effect in hard superconductors - which show Josephson-like phenomena over a wide range of electrical and superconducting parameters. Characteristics of these circuits will be discussed and a simple physical model will be presented to account for a modification of the Josephson phenomena at high current density in these devices. Response of the devices at high frequency will be emphasized with special emphasis on detection processes and the Dayem-Wyatt effect