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Hysteretic vortex pinning in superconductor-ferromagnet nanocomposites
A Palau1, H Parvaneh, N A Stelmashenko
1Department of Materials Science, University of Cambridge, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB2 3QZ, United Kingdom.
Physical Review Letters
|May 16, 2007
Summary
We observed hysteresis in vortex pinning within superconductor-ferromagnetic nanocomposites. This phenomenon stems from magnetic reversal losses in gadolinium particles, distinct from other pinning interactions.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Superconductor-ferromagnetic nanocomposites offer unique electromagnetic properties.
- Vortex pinning is crucial for superconductor applications, influencing critical current density.
- Understanding pinning mechanisms in complex heterostructures is essential for materials design.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the vortex pinning behavior in a superconductor-ferromagnetic nanocomposite.
- To elucidate the origin of observed hysteresis in vortex pinning.
- To differentiate this hysteretic pinning from previously known interactions.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of epitaxial nanocomposite with face-centered cubic (fcc) Gadolinium (Gd) particles in a Niobium (Nb) matrix.
- Experimental observation and characterization of vortex pinning phenomena.
- Analysis of magnetic reversal losses in the ferromagnetic component.
Main Results:
- Observation of distinct hysteresis in vortex pinning.
- Correlation of this hysteresis with magnetic reversal losses in Gd particles.
- Demonstration that the observed pinning is fundamentally different from prior observations.
Conclusions:
- The study identifies a novel source of hysteresis in vortex pinning in superconductor-ferromagnetic nanocomposites.
- Magnetic reversal losses in ferromagnetic inclusions are a key factor.
- This finding provides new insights into the complex interplay between magnetism and superconductivity at the nanoscale.
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