Flux Droplet Formation in NbS<span class="aps-inline-formula"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mrow><msub><mrow><mi mathvariant="normal">e</mi></mrow><mrow><mn>2</mn></mrow></msub></mrow></math></span> Single Crystals Observed by Decoration

M. Marchevsky; L. A. Gurevich; P. H. Kes; J. Aarts

doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.75.2400

Flux Droplet Formation in NbS $e_{2}$ Single Crystals Observed by Decoration

M. Marchevsky, L. A. Gurevich, P. H. Kes, and J. Aarts

Phys. Rev. Lett. 75, 2400 – Published 18 September 1995

Abstract

A potential barrier of geometrical origin, characterized by a barrier field $H_{p}$ , governs vortex penetration in thin superconducting samples. We observed this effect by the decoration of crystals of NbS $e_{2}$ . Upon zero field cooling and applying a field $H_{a} < H_{p} \approx 5 mT$ , vortices form a belt at the sample edges. At $H_{a} \approx H_{p}$ flux begins to penetrate in the form of dropletlike intrusions. The orientational correlation length for the vortex pattern inside the “droplets” is much larger than for the field-cooled patterns. This we interpret as recrystallization of the moving flux line lattice.

Received 1 May 1995

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.75.2400

Authors & Affiliations

M. Marchevsky¹, L. A. Gurevich², P. H. Kes¹, and J. Aarts¹

¹Kamerlingh Onnes Laboratory, University of Leiden, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
²Institute of Solid State Physics, Chernogolovka, Moscow District, 142432, Russia