Abstract
Within the framework of the time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau theory we show that circularly polarized terahertz or far-infrared radiation induces a dc supercurrent that influences the dynamics of vortex-antivortex pair formation in a mesoscopic superconductor undergoing rapid thermal quenching. The Lorentz force arising from the supercurrents promotes vortex-antivortex separation and allows survival of the vortex polarity defined by the helicity of light. Based on this idea, we propose a two-stage irradiation scheme that provides a powerful method for controlled all-optical generation of Abrikosov vortices.
- Received 20 May 2022
- Revised 5 September 2022
- Accepted 20 October 2022
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.106.174504
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