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

C-axis YBCO bridges (≈ 10 μm 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, T_d is used to provide the phonou 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.