Figure 1. Electrical characterization of samples at zero applied magnetic field.

(a) R(T) curves of the reference Nb strip (black line) and the Nb/NbPy/Nb lateral weak links with width of the Py strip of 0.2 μm (blue line), 0.4 μm (red line), and 0.8 μm (green line). In the inset there is shown a micrograph of the sample layout. (b) V(I) curves of the weak link with 0.2 μm wide Py strip recorded at several temperatures in the absence of magnetic field are shown in the top panel in full voltage range. The inset shows the micrograph of the addressed weak link. The low voltage region of the V(I) curves is shown amplified in the bottom panel.