Abstract
The magnetization of an ensemble of isolated lead grains of sizes ranging from 4 to 1000 nm is measured. A sharp disappearance of the Meissner effect with a lowering of the grain size is observed for the smaller grains. This is a direct observation by magnetization measurement of the occurrence of a critical particle size for superconductivity, which is consistent with Anderson’s criterion.
- Received 2 May 2002
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.91.147001
©2003 American Physical Society
