Transition from turbulent to nearly laminar vortex flow in superconductors with periodic pinning

We revisit the vortex dynamics in Al thin films containing an artificial periodic array of antidots by means of electrical transport measurements. We clearly identify a turbulent to laminarlike vortex flow transition which manifests itself as a negative differential resistivity. This transition is accompanied by a strong irreversibility in the voltage-current characteristics. The dynamical phase diagrams obtained as a function of commensurability, temperature, and driving force are in good agreement with the early predictions by Reichhardt et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 78, 2648 (1997)] based on molecular dynamic simulations.

Figure 1

(Color online) (a) $E\text{−}J$ curve taken at $T=1.278\text{K}$ and for $B/B_1=1.036$. Dynamical vortex phases I—pinned lattice, II—1D interstitial vortex motion, III—2D disordered motion of the flux line lattice, IV—1D incommensurate motion, V—phase slip lines formation, and N—normal state. The inset shows the resistance versus the applied magnetic field at 1.295 K. The drop in $R$ is observed exactly at $B_1$. Sketches of the interstitial vortex motion in (b) phase II of the turbulentlike 2D motion of vortices in (c) phase III and of the 1D incommensurate row motion in (d) phase IV.

Figure 2

(Color online) $E\text{−}J$ curves ramping up and down the driving current taken at (a) $T=1.274\text{K}$, $B/B_1=1.01$ and (b) $T=1.220\text{K}$, $B/B_1=3$. Inset shows a fully reversible $E\text{−}J$ curve taken at $T=1.265\text{K}$, $B/B_1=2$. When a irreversibility is present phases are labeled in italic for the ramping down case. Dashed blue lines are fittings to the Ohmic behavior in the normal state.

Figure 3

(Color online) Dynamic phase diagrams as function of (a) the commensurability and the driving current taken at $T=1.275\text{K}$ and (b) the temperature and the driving current for $B/B_1=1.036$.