Tunable Noninteger Flux Quantum of Vortices in Superconducting Strips

Area of Science:

• Condensed Matter Physics
• Quantum Mechanics
• Materials Science

Background:

• Flux quantization is a key characteristic of superconductivity.
• Finite size effects in superconductors can lead to exotic phenomena like nonquantized vortices.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate the magnetic flux of vortices in superconducting strips.
• Analyze the influence of strip width and penetration depth on vortex behavior.
• Explore potential applications of observed vortex flux phenomena.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication and characterization of superconducting strips.
• Magnetic flux measurements using scanning Hall probe microscopy (SHPM).
• Theoretical simulations based on Ginzburg-Landau theory.

Main Results:

• Observed a controlled evolution from singly quantized to nonquantized vortices with varying strip width and penetration depth.
• Demonstrated that magnetic flux is unaffected by flowing supercurrent.
• Ginzburg-Landau simulations showed good agreement with experimental findings.

Conclusions:

• The study demonstrates tunable vortex flux behavior in superconducting strips.
• Findings suggest new avenues for fundamental research in vortex matter.
• Potential applications include vortex-memory devices and magnetic field traps.