We present a new class of nanoscale experiments on cuprate superconductors in the current-carrying state. These experiments are aimed at studying how the high-Tc order parameter responds, in both real and reciprocal space, when driven by a sizable phase gradient. First, scanning tunneling spectroscopy was performed on current-carrying YBa2Cu3O6+x (YBCO) thin-film strips, to reveal a remarkable suppression of the low-energy Andreev states indicating an increase in the local phase fluctuations. Second, transport measurements were made on optimally-doped YBCO nanostructures, to show anomalous current-voltage nonlinearities consistent with the formation of current-driven phase slip lines. These results are discussed in the general context of non-rigidity of the high-Tc order parameter under electrodynamic perturbation.
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