Vortex state in thermally-induced pinning patterns in superconducting film

We propose a way to manipulate the landscape of the superconducting condensate in thin films via stripe-like (1D) and checkerboard (2D) periodic patterns. Our approach is based on the spatially localized heating of the superconductor, which is reflected in sinusoidal variations of the local temperature, which can be produced via, e.g., a focused laser beam or nanoheaters. This simple approach provides a very good alternative for modulation of the vortex collective, emerging in the type-II superconductors as a natural response to the applied magnetic field and the transport current, which was, up to now, controlled mainly via nanofabricated static pinning centers, whose distribution cannot be changed once the landscape is defined.     

Vortex states of a superconducting film from a magnetic dot array

Using Ginzburg-Landau theory, we find novel configurations of vortices in superconducting thin films subject to the magnetic field of a magnetic dot array, with dipole moments oriented perpendicular to the film. Sufficiently strong magnets cause the formation of vortex-antivortex pairs. In most cases, the vortices are confined to dot regions, while the antivortices can form a rich variety of lattice states. We propose an experiment in which the perpendicular component of the dot dipole moments can be tuned using an in-plane magnetic field. We show that in such an experiment the vortex-antivortex pair density shows broad plateaus as a function of the dipole strength. Many of the plateaus correspond to vortex configurations that break dot lattice symmetries. In some of these states, the vortex cores are strongly distorted. Possible experimental consequences are mentioned.     

Matching effect in superconducting NbN thin film with a square lattice of holes

A square hole array is fabricated over a micro-bridge of NbN thin film by electron beam lithography and reactive ion milling. Magneto-resistance is measured across the micro-bridge filled with a hole array near the superconducting transition temperature. It is found that magneto-resistance minima occur when the number of vortices is an integer multiple or a fractional multiple of the number of holes. The temperature and the current dependences of the matching effect are studied.     

Vortex core deformation and stepper-motor ratchet behavior in a superconducting aluminum film containing an array of holes

We investigated experimentally the frequency dependence of a superconducting vortex ratchet effect by means of electrical transport measurements and modeled it theoretically using the time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau formalism. We demonstrate that the high frequency vortex behavior can be described as a discrete motion of a particle in a periodic potential, i.e., the so-called stepper-motor behavior. Strikingly, in the more conventional low frequency response a transition takes place from an Abrikosov vortex rectifier to a phase slip line rectifier. This transition is characterized by a strong increase in the rectified voltage and the appearance of a pronounced hysteretic behavior.     

Vortex dynamics in mesoscopic superconducting square of variable surface

In this paper we apply the time dependent Ginzburg–Landau (TDGL) equations to the study of thin superconducting films of variable surfaces in the presence of an external applied magnetic field. We have made a systematic investigation of both the lower and upper critical fields as a function of the topological parameters which control the shape of the film surfaces. We also make a detailed investigation of the vortex dynamics as they nucleate into the sample.     

Direct visualization of the vortex distributions in a superconducting film with a Penrose array of magnetic pinning centers: Symmetry induced giant vortex state

Using scanning Hall probe microscopy a direct visualization of the flux distribution in a Pb film covering a fivefold Penrose array of Co dots is obtained. We demonstrate that stable vortex configurations can be found for fields H ∼ 0.8H₁, H₁ and 1.6H₁, where H₁ corresponds to one flux quantum per pinning site. The vortex pattern at 0.8H₁ corresponds to one vacancy in one of the vertices of the thin tiles whereas at 1.6H₁ the vortex structure can be associated with one interstitial vortex inside each thick tile. Strikingly, for H = 1.6H₁ interstitial and pinned vortices arrange themselves in ring-like structures (“vortex corrals”) which favor the formation of a giant vortex state at their center.     

Optical rectification effect in nanostructured carbon films

Electrically conducting nanostructured carbon films obtained by chemical vapor deposition and composed of nanodimensional graphite crystals exhibit the effect of optical rectification on exposure to nanosecond pulsed laser radiation. Experiments show that the amplitude and polarity of the pulsed voltage strongly depend on the angle of incidence and polarization of the laser radiation and on the spatial orientation of a carbon film with electrodes relative to the laser beam. Under the optimum conditions corresponding to maximum amplitude of the response signal, the factor of conversion of the laser pulse power into electric voltage was about 500 and 650 mV/MW at a laser wavelength of 1064 and 532 nm, respectively.     

Vortex pinning in superconducting Nb thin films deposited on nanoporous alumina templates

We present a study of magnetization and transport properties of superconducting Nb thin films deposited on nanoporous aluminium oxide templates. Periodic oscillations in the critical temperature vs. field, matching effects in fields up to 700 mT and strongly enhanced critical currents were observed. These fields are considerably higher than those typical for periodic pinning arrays made by lithographic techniques, which reflects the benefits of nanostructuring superconductors by using self-organized growth. This method provides a periodic pinning potential with sub-100 nm spacing between the pinning centers, which enhances vortex pinning in broad field and temperature ranges.     

Simulation study on the vortex penetration in the presence of the square antidot array

On the basis of the time-dependent Ginzburg–Landau theory we perform numerical simulations to study vortex penetration in the presence of the square antidot array. Two types of vortex penetration are demonstrated as the simulation results. The field-penetration-pattern is dependent on the size of the antidots, which is a critical factor for the direction of the vortex penetration.     

Novel commensurability effects in superconducting films with antidot arrays

Vortex configurations in superconducting films with regular arrays of antidots (holes) are calculated within the nonlinear Ginzburg-Landau theory. In addition to the well-established matching phenomena, we predict (i) the nucleation of giant-vortex states between the antidots, (ii) the combination of giant- and multivortices at rational matching fields, and (iii) for particular values of the vorticity, symmetry imposed creation of vortex-antivortex configurations.     

缺陷调控临界温度梯度超导膜的磁通整流反转效应

超导涡旋运动引起的棘齿效应可以广泛应用于磁通泵、整流器和超导开关等装置.金兹堡-朗道理论是研究超导磁通涡旋问题强有力的工具和手段.本文采用有限差分法数值求解时间相关的金兹堡-朗道方程,利用快速傅里叶变换方法求解耦合的热传导方程,数值模拟了临界温度梯度超导薄膜磁通涡旋动力学行为,提出了一种新的调节超导整流效应的方式,并研...     

Dynamics of two-dimensional vortex system in a strong square pinning array at the second matching field

We study the dynamics of a two-dimensional vortex system in a strong square pinning array at the second matching field. Two kinds of depinning behaviors, a continuous depinning transition at weak pinning and a discontinuous one at strong pinning, are found. We show that the two different kinds of vortex depinning transitions can be identified in transport as a function of the pinning strength and temperature. Moreover, interstitial vortex state can be probed from the transport properties of vortices.     

Ag反点阵列修饰TiO2薄膜的制备及光催化性能研究

采用胶体晶体模板技术和磁控溅射工艺,通过调制溅射功率,制备了一系列不同形貌的Ag反点阵列修饰TiO2复合薄膜．通过扫描电子显微镜（SEM）,X射线衍射（XRD）,紫外一可见分光光度计（UV-Vis）和四探针测试仪等手段对样品的结构和光催化性能进行了表征．实验结果表明：Ag反点阵列的形貌对样品光催化性能有显著影响．随着反点孔径的减小,其导电性能迅速提升,样品的光催化性能逐渐增强．孔径为710nm时,复合薄膜的光催化性能达到最高．随后,继续减小孔径,样品的光催化性能出现了一定程度的下降,这是载流子损耗增多和遮光面积增大引起的．经Ag反点阵列修饰的样品的光催化性能均明显优于TiO2薄膜,主要是由于反点阵列可有效分离光生载流子,因此使其光催化活性得到显著提高．     

Vortex glass transition in a random pinning model

We study the vortex glass transition in disordered high temperature superconductors using Monte Carlo simulations. We use a random pinning model with strong point-correlated quenched disorder, a net applied magnetic field, long-range vortex interactions, and periodic boundary conditions. From a finite size scaling study of the helicity modulus, the rms current, and the resistivity, we obtain critical exponents at the phase transition. The new exponents differ substantially from those of the gauge glass model, but are close to those of the pure three-dimensional XY model.     

Structured lens formed by a 2D square hole array in a metallic film

A method is proposed to modulate phase using variant square holes in a metallic film based on a fundamental mode approximation model. Phase retardation through square holes in a subwavelength scale in a thin metal film has been analyzed and calculated. Based on the model, a structured lens with a numerical aperture of 0.583 and a focal length of 240 microm formed by a 2D square hole array in a metallic film is designed. Numerical simulation using the finite-difference time-domain method is carried out, and the results agree with the theoretical analysis. A focal spot close to the diffraction limit can be obtained.