Direct observation of nonlocal effects in a superconductor

Phys Rev Lett. 2004 Feb 27;92(8):087001. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.92.087001. Epub 2004 Feb 26.

Abstract

We have used the technique of low energy muon spin rotation to measure the local magnetic field profile B(z) beneath the surface of a lead film maintained in the Meissner state (z depth from the surface, z less, similar 200 nm). The data unambiguously show that B(z) clearly deviates from an exponential law and represent the first direct, model independent proof for a nonlocal response in a superconductor.