Controlling flux flow dissipation by changing flux pinning in superconducting films

Grimaldi, G., Leo, A., Nigro, A., Silhanek, A.V., Verellen, N., Moshchalkov, V.V., Milošević, M.V., Casaburi, A. , Cristiano, R. and Pace, S. (2012) Controlling flux flow dissipation by changing flux pinning in superconducting films. Applied Physics Letters, 100(20), p. 202601. (doi: 10.1063/1.4718309)

Abstract

We study the flux flow state in superconducting materials characterized by rather strong intrinsic pinning, such as Nb, NbN, and nanostructured Al thin films, in which we drag the superconducting dissipative state into the normal state by current biasing. We modify the vortex pinning strength either by ion irradiation, by tuning the measuring temperature or by including artificial pinning centers. We measure critical flux flow voltages for all materials and the same effect is observed: switching to low flux flow dissipations at low fields for an intermediate pinning regime. This mechanism offers a way to additionally promote the stability of the superconducting state.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Casaburi, Dr Alessandro
• Authors: Grimaldi, G., Leo, A., Nigro, A., Silhanek, A.V., Verellen, N., Moshchalkov, V.V., Milošević, M.V., Casaburi, A., Cristiano, R., and Pace, S.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Electronics and Nanoscale Engineering
• Journal Name: Applied Physics Letters
• ISSN: 0003-6951
• Published Online: 14 May 2012