Inhomogeneity and transverse voltage in superconductors

Abstract

Voltages parallel and transverse to electric current in slightly inhomogeneous superconductors can contain components proportional to the field and temperature derivatives of the longitudinal and Hall resistivities. We show that these anomalous contributions can be the origin of the zero field and even-in-field transverse voltage occasionally observed at the superconductor-to-normal-state transition. The same mechanism can also cause an anomaly in the odd-in-field transverse voltage, interfering with the Hall-effect signal.