Proximity effects in quench-condensed granular superconductors and ferromagnets

We report on a study of proximity effects in quench-condensed superconducti ng (Pb) and ferromagnetic (Ni) granular films in which we are able to depos it sequential layers of material and measure transport and magnetoresistanc e properties in-situ for different degrees of material coverage. We find th at adding a normal (non-superconducting or non-ferromagnetic) overlayer to isolated Pb or Ni grains enhances long-range order in the film. We interpre t these results as being due to proximity effects where the grains are coup led via the weak order-parameter induced in the overlayer material.