Commensurability effects in the critical forces of a superconducting film with Kagomé pinning array at submatching fields

Using molecular dynamics simulations, we find the commensurability force peaks in a two-dimensional superconducting thin-film with a Kagomé pinning array. A transport force is applied in two mutually perpendicular directions, and the magnetic field is increased up to the first matching field. Usually the condition to have pronounced force peaks in systems with periodic pinning is associated to the rate between the applied magnetic field and the first matching field, it must be an integer or a rational fraction. Here, we show that another condition must be satisfied, the vortex ground state must be ordered. Our calculations show that the pinning size and strength may dramatically change the vortex ground state. Small pinning radius and high values of pinning strength may lead to disordered vortex configurations, which fade the critical force peaks. The critical forces show anisotropic behavior, but the same dependence on pinning strength and radius is observed for both driven force directions. Different to cases where the applied magnetic field is higher than the first matching field, here the depinning process begins with vortices weakly trapped on top of a pinning site and not with interstitial vortices. Our results are in good agreement with recent experimental results.     

Formation of a vortex lattice in a rotating BCS Fermi gas

We investigate theoretically the formation of a vortex lattice in a superfluid two-spin component Fermi gas in a rotating harmonic trap, in a BCS-type regime of condensed non-bosonic pairs. Our analytical solution of the superfluid hydrodynamic equations, both for the 2D BCS equation of state and for the 3D unitary quantum gas, predicts that the vortex free gas is subject to a dynamic instability for fast enough rotation. With a numerical solution of the full time dependent BCS equations in a 2D model, we confirm the existence of this dynamic instability and we show that it leads to the formation of a regular pattern of quantum vortices in the gas.     

Anisotropy of a vortex instability observed at high current densities in YBa2Cu3O7δ superconducting films

Experimental data are provided for YBaCuO films that an instability of the vortex system, which manifests itself by a voltage jump at a critical current I*, exhibits strong anisotropy if the magnetic field is tilted from parallel to perpendicular to the c-axis. The angular dependence of I* can be well described by a model emphasizing the component of the magnetic field parallel to the c-axis. If the current range is restricted to values close to I*, the current-voltage characteristics below the instability show a satisfactory agreement with the prediction of the theory of ‘Self-Organized Criticality’ (SOC). In terms of this theory it is possible to relate the critical vortex velocity v* to the temperature and field dependent characteristic size of the underlying vortex avalanches. If, however, standard Larkin-Ovchinnikov theory is applied to describe the instability, this critical velocity is related to the scattering rate of quasiparticles. Analyzed in this way and assuming an isotropic diffusion constant of the quasiparticles, an anisotropic scattering rate and its temperature dependence can be extracted.     

Cyclone–anticyclone vortex asymmetry mechanism and linear Ekman friction

Allowance for the linear Ekman friction has been found to ensure a threshold (in rotation frequency) realization of the linear dissipative–centrifugal instability and the related chiral symmetry breaking in the dynamics of Lagrangian particles, which leads to the cyclone–anticyclone vortex asymmetry. An excess of the fluid rotation rate ω₀ over some threshold value determined by the fluid eigenfrequency ω (i.e., ω₀ > ω) is shown to be a condition for the realization of such an instability. A new generalization of the solution of the Karman problem to determine the steady-state velocity field in a viscous incompressible fluid above a rotating solid disk of large radius, in which the linear Ekman friction was additionally taken into account, has been obtained. A correspondence of this solution and the conditions for the realization of the dissipative–centrifugal instability of a chiral-symmetric vortex state and the corresponding cyclone–anticyclone vortex asymmetry has been shown. A generalization of the well-known spiral velocity distribution in an “Ekman layer” near a solid surface has been established for the case where the fluid rotation frequency far from the disk ω differs from the disk rotation frequency ω₀.     

The volume pinning force for periodical interaction forces between defects and the flux line lattice

The volume pinning force for some forms of the interaction potential defect-flux line is calculated without restrictions on the vortex lattice distance and the interaction range of defects. It is shown that for larger maximum elementary interaction forces, the direct summation of pinning forces is realistic. However, if the interaction range of the defects is smaller than the vortex lattice distance, one obtains a region (about one order of magnitude) in which Labusch's quadratic dependence of the volume pinning force on the elementary interaction force is valid. In the region where the direct summation of pinning forces occur, the volume pinning force is proportional the vortex lattice distance and one obtains an additional magnetic field dependence of the volume pinning force.     

Nonlinear vortex dynamo in a rotating stratified moist atmosphere

We have found a new type of large-scale instability in a rotating stratified moist atmosphere with small-scale turbulence. The turbulence is excited by an external small-scale force with a low Reynolds number. We have constructed the theory based on the method of multiscale asymptotic expansions. The nonlinear equations for large-scale motion have been derived in the third order of the perturbation theory. We have investigated the linear instability and stationary nonlinear regimes. Solutions in the form of localized vortex structures or kinks of a new type have been obtained.     

Velocity dependence of atomic friction

Sliding friction between the tip of a friction force microscope and NaCl(100) was studied to deduce the velocity dependence of friction forces on the atomic scale. A logarithmic dependence of the mean friction force is revealed at low velocities. The experimental data are interpreted in terms of a modified Tomlinson model which is based on reaction rate theory.     

Computation of the tracking force acting on a relativistic electron beam propagating in a conducting waveguide under the ohmic and ion-focused regimes

The force of interaction between a relativistic electron beam deflected by resistive hose instability and the eddy current induced in a tubular plasma channel of finite conductivity is computed. Dependences of the force on channel ohmic conductivity and current rise time in a beam pulse are studied. For a beam propagating through a perfectly conducting waveguide under the ion-focused regime, the interaction of the beam with the ion-channel electrostatic image on the waveguide wall is studied for the case when the beam and the channel are deflected from the waveguide axis as a result of ion hose instability. The dependence of the force on both deflection amplitudes is ascertained for the nonlinear phase of instability. It is demonstrated that the force under study may become comparable to the beam-channel interaction force if the deflections are large.     

Dilatancy and friction in sheared granular media

We introduce a simple model to describe the frictional properties of granular media under shear. We model the friction force in terms of the horizontal velocity and the vertical position z of the slider, interpreting z as a constitutive variable characterizing the contact. Dilatancy is shown to play an essential role in the dynamics, inducing a stick-slip instability at low velocity. We compute the phase diagram, analyze numerically the model for a wide range of parameters and compare our results with experiments on dry and wet granular media, obtaining a good agreement. In particular, we reproduce the hysteretic velocity dependence of the frictional force. Received 16 November 1999     

颗粒物质中圆棒受到的静摩擦力

通过实验研究了圆棒在颗粒物质中受到的摩擦力与颗粒填充高度及棒径的关系.观测到摩擦力随颗粒高度和棒径而增大.用连续介质模型推导了摩擦力公式，与实验观测基本一致.结果表明，摩擦力和棒径成正比；当颗粒高度很小时，摩擦力与颗粒高度平方成正比；而当颗粒堆积很高时，摩擦力与高度成正比，即静摩擦力与接触面积成正比. 关键词： 颗粒物质 摩擦力     

Centrifugal-dissipative instability of Rossby vortices and their cyclonic-anticyclonic asymmetry

A new linear centrifugal-dissipative mechanism is proposed that explains the vortex asymmetry observed, in particular, in the structure of low-frequency anticyclonic Rossby vortices. It is shown that the relevant centrifugal-dissipative instability, which spontaneously breaks the chiral symmetry of the vortices, takes place only in the range ω<Ω, where ω is the frequency of small oscillations corresponding to the effective solid-body rotation of a vortex and Ω is the rotation rate of a noninertial frame of reference. The onset of the instability is associated with the existence of an optimum magnitude of the frictional force. In the vortex model based on a two-dimensional oscillator with the natural frequency ω in a noninertial reference frame rotating at the rate Ω, the instability shows up as an exponential increase in the total angular momentum. It is noted that the centrifugal dissipative instability may also manifest itself in the seismically active regions of the world.     

Hydrodynamic induced deformation and orientation of a microscopic elastic filament

We describe simulations of an elastic filament immersed in a fluid and subjected to a body force. The coupling between the fluid flow and the friction that the filament experiences induces bending and alignment perpendicular to the force. With increasing force there are four shape regimes, ranging from slight distortion to an unsteady tumbling motion. We also find marginally stable structures. The instability of these shapes and the alignment are explained by induced bending and nonlocal hydrodynamic interactions. These effects are experimentally relevant for stiff microfilaments.     

Essence of Inviscid Shear Instability: a Point View of Vortex Dynamics

The essence of shear instability is reviewed both mathematically and physically, which extends the instability theory of a sheet vortex from the viewpoint of vortex dynamics. For this, the Kelvin-Arnol＇d theorem is retrieved in linear context, i.e., the stable flow minimizes the kinetic energy associated with vorticity. Then the mechanism of shear instability is explored by combining the mechanisms of both Kelvin Helmholtz instability （K-H instability） and resonance of waves. The waves, which have the same phase speed with the concentrated vortex, have interactions with the vortex to trigger the instability. The physical explanation of shear instability is also sketched by extending Batchelor＇s theory. These results should lead to a more comprehensive understanding on shear instabilities.     

Force between a magnetic tip and an inhomogeneous superconductor at zero field

The force exerted by a semi-infinite inhomogeneous superconductor with a planar interface to vacuum on a magnetic tip is studied theoretically in the absence of external magnetic fields. It is shown that the force has a contribution from inhomogeneities due to material defects with unique characteristics. Defects are taken into account in the London limit by allowing the mass parameter to vary spatially. The contribution from defects to the force is calculated analytically to first order in the deviation of the mass parameter from its constant value for the homogeneous superconductor, assuming that the tip is a point dipole perpendicular to the interface, and that it does not spontaneously create vortex matter. Random point defects and linear localized defects are considered phenomenologically. For each defect type the force dependence on the dipole position coordinates is obtained, and the force magnitudes are estimated numerically. The predictions for the dependence of the linear defect force on the dipole lateral position are found to agree qualitatively with experiment.     

First-order phase transition between the liquidlike and solidlike structures of a boundary lubricant

A thermodynamic model for characterization of the first-order phase transition between the structural states of a boundary lubricant is suggested. It is shown that melting of the lubricant is due both to a rise in its temperature and to shear experienced by friction surfaces when elastic strains (stresses) exceed a critical value. A phase diagram with regions of dry and sliding friction is constructed. Using a mechanical analogue of the tribological system, the dependence of the friction force on the lubricant temperature and relative shear rate of the friction surfaces is analyzed. The observed conditions of stick-slip friction, which is the main reason for friction parts wear, are described. Reasons for stick-slip friction are revealed.     

NUMERICAL STUDIES ON THE DYNAMICS OF DISORDERED VORTEX LATTICE

Flow behavior of the driven two-dimensional vortex lattice is numerically studied with different densities of randomly distributed pointlike pinning centers. Different features in the curves of velocity-force dependence are found between the elastic and plastic regimes. Scaling fit between force and velocity above the critical driving force can be obtained in the elastic regime but fails in the plastic regime. Transition from the lastic to plastic regimes is accompanied by maximum peaks in the differential curves of velocity-force dependence in the disordered vortex lattice.     

On the instability against the surface charge of a liquid meniscus at the end of a capillary

The subject of consideration is instability of the flat meniscus of a viscous liquid at the end of a capillary in the gravitational field and an electrostatic field when the symmetry axis of the capillary is arbitrarily oriented relative to the direction of free-fall acceleration. It is shown that, if the electrostatic field strength is high, the development of meniscus instability does not depend on the orientation of the capillary. The instability growth rate versus wavenumber dependence for annular waves of different types on the meniscus surface is found to be nonmonotonic.     

Numerical calculations of the driving force on an Abrikosov vortex

The driving force on an Abrikosov vortex is calculated numerically from the London equation and involved energies for a vortex perpendicular to the screening current near the surface of a superconductor. Compared with previous analytical derivation of the total force, the partial magnetic, kinematic, and external forces are also obtained so that the nature of the driving force may be deeply discussed. It is shown that the force is neither a Lorentz force nor a Magnus force as often believed and that in order to get a correct result, the image effects and the work done by the applied field must be taken into account. A name of London force is suggested for the driving force. A deep understanding of the nature of the driving force on Abrikosov vortices may also be important in the study of vortex pinning and dynamics in type-II superconductors.