One-dimensional modulation of the superconducting boundary condition for thin superconducting films

Within the framework of the linearized Ginzburg-Landau theory, we study the phase boundary of thin superconducting films. These films are nanostructured such that there is a one-dimensional periodic enhancement of the surface superconductivity which can be realized, e.g., by placing superconducting stripes with a higher critical temperature on top of the film, leading to a one-dimensional modulation of the superconducting boundary condition. We study the influence of this one-dimensional modulation on the enhancement of the critical temperature of the film. In a second step we also place stripes at the bottom of the film and we study both in-phase and out-of-phase modulation.