Nucleation and Collapse of the Superconducting Phase in Type-I Superconducting Films

Abstract

The phase transition between the intermediate and normal states in type-I superconducting films is investigated using magneto-optical imaging. Magnetic hysteresis with different transition fields for collapse and nucleation of superconducting domains is found. This is accompanied by topological hysteresis characterized by the collapse of circular domains and the appearance of lamellar domains. Magnetic hysteresis is shown to arise from supercooled and superheated states. Domain-shape instability resulting from long-range magnetic interaction accounts well for topological hysteresis. Connection with similar effects in systems with long-range magnetic interactions is emphasized.

References in corpus (2)

• The Shapes of Flux Domains in the Intermediate State of Type-I Superconductors
• Impeded Growth of Magnetic Flux Bubbles in the Intermediate State Pattern of Type I Superconductors

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• Determination of the micromagnetic parameters in (Ga,Mn)As using domain theory
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• Magnetic field dependence of the quantum tunneling of normal-superconductor interfaces in a type-I Pb superconductor
• The role of temperature in the magnetic irreversibility of type-I Pb superconductors
• Controlled Manipulation of Intermediate State in a Type-I Superconductor