Phase slips in a one-dimensional superconducting wire: Crossover from quantum tunneling to thermal hopping

We carry out quantum Monte Carlo simulations for the finite temperature behavior of a chain of coupled superconducting grains, whose T = 0 characteristics have been presented by Matveev et al. [K.A. Matveev, A.I. Larkin, L.I. Glazman, Phys. Rev. Lett. 89 (2002) 096802]. Quantum phase slips at low temperatures and the crossover to thermal hopping at elevated temperatures are observed. The effect of phase slips on persistent currents is numerically demonstrated. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved