Dynamic Formation of Metastable Intermediate State Patterns in Type-I Superconductors

Abstract

Structure of the intermediate state in type-I superconducting lead (Pb) is shown to be very sensitive to the ramp rate of an applied magnetic field. The configurations of resulting static patterns depend sensitively on the shape of the specimen. In particular, geometric barrier, present in the samples with rectangular cross-section, plays an important role in determining the sharp boundary between the phases of different topology. We propose that seemingly laminar (stripe) pattern obtained as a result of the fast field ramp is simply an imprint left behind by the fast-moving flux tubes. Our results confirm that flux tube phase is topologically favorable.

to be presented at LT-25 (Amsterdam, 2008)

References in corpus (2)

• The Suprafroth (Superconducting Froth)
• Equilibrium topology of the intermediate state in type-I superconductors of different shapes

Cited by in corpus (4)

• Muon spin rotation study of type-I superconductivity: elemental $\beta -$Sn
• Equilibrium intermediate-state patterns in a type-I superconducting slab in an arbitrarily oriented applied magnetic field
• Identification of multiple-flux-quanta vortices by core states in the two-band superconductor Pb
• Controlled Manipulation of Intermediate State in a Type-I Superconductor