Transient response of a high T c superconducting thin film

The transient response of a YBCO thin film to a current pulse is reported. The measured rate of change of resistance across the superconductor is consistent with the thermal propagation of a normal region in a thin superconducting film. It appears that the normal region occurs at an ohmic contact and propagates across the length of the film, thus switching the film from its superconducting state to its normal state. The rate of resistance change shows a strong dependence on the bias temperature and current.