Periodic magnetization instabilities in a superconducting Nb film with a square lattice of Ni dots

A. Terentiev*, B. Watkins, L. E. De Long, L. D. Cooley, D. J. Morgan, J. B. Ketterson

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalConference articlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

Isothermal magnetization curves of a superconducting Nb film perforated by a square lattice of Ni dots exhibit quasiperiodic instabilities below approximately 4 K, with a field-dependent period equal to the first, second, or third matching fields. The instabilities are found in a range of applied fields well above the saturation matching value, and where a Nb film with the same dimensions and magnetization remained stable. The recovery of matching effects well below Tc approximately 8.8 K is unexpected, because strong flux gradients generated by the geometric barrier and random pinning suppress the formation of large domains of matched flux lines and dots. The results suggest that terraces of matched flux density may exist at the border of a flux-free zone near the film edge.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)5-11
Number of pages7
JournalPhysica C: Superconductivity and its applications
Volume332
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2000
Event1st Euroconference on Vortex Matter in Superconductors at Extreme Scales and Conditions - Crete, Greece
Duration: Sep 18 1999Sep 24 1999

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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