Predicting film thermal coupling from the current-induced S→N transition

C-asis YBCO bridges (approximate to 10 mu m wide) deposited on crystalline surfaces were submitted to current step pulses and their resistance was monitored as a function of time. The stable dissipative regime sets in after a latency period T-d on the scale of nanoseconds characteristic of the phase-slip (PSC) regime. Through a time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau analysis of the superconducting-to-normal transition, Td is used to provide the phonon escape time virtually up to T-c. Results are in quantitative agreement with measurements performed either by others workers or by independent methods presented at this Conference.