Magneto-Optics of type-II superconductors

Abstract

The magneto-optical activity of superconducting ${\mathrm{YBa}}_2{\mathrm{Cu}}_3{\mathrm{O}}_7$ observed by Karrai {\it et al.} is not present in many commonly employed models of vortex dynamics. Here we propose a simple, unifying picture for the frequency dependent magneto-optic response of type-II superconductors at low temperatures. We bring together Kohn's theorem, vortex core excitations, and vortex pinning and damping into a single expression for the conductivity tensor. The theory describes magneto-optical activity observed in infrared transmission measurements of thin films of ${\mathrm{YBa}}_2{\mathrm{Cu}}_3{\mathrm{O}}_7$.

4 pages, in REVTEX 3.0, three figures available by regular mail from the first author