Controlled Generation of Quantized Vortex-Antivortex Pairs in a Superconducting Condensate

Area of Science:

• Condensed Matter Physics
• Superconductivity
• Topological Defects

Background:

• Quantized vortices are crucial topological defects in superconductors, impacting physics and technology.
• Conventional vortex generation requires high magnetic fields or current densities, limiting control over their position.
• Precisely controlling individual vortex nucleation within superconductors remains a significant challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate a novel method for the controllable creation of single quantum vortices and antivortices.
• To achieve precise spatial positioning of these topological defects within a superconductor.
• To explore a new approach for manipulating superconductivity at the nanoscale.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the local heating effect of a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) tip.
• Superconductivity was locally suppressed by the STM tip, creating a hot spot.
• Vortex-antivortex pairs were generated by inducing supercurrent flow around the heated region.

Main Results:

• Successfully demonstrated the controllable creation of single quantum vortices and antivortices.
• Achieved arbitrary positioning of these vortex-antivortex pairs within the superconductor.
• Experimental findings were corroborated by theoretical simulations using the Ginzburg-Landau approach.

Conclusions:

• The STM-induced local heating method provides unprecedented control over vortex generation and placement.
• This technique offers a pathway for precise manipulation of topological defects in superconductors.
• The findings pave the way for novel applications in superconducting devices and quantum technologies.