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Scanning SQUID Study of Vortex Manipulation by Local Contact
Published on: February 1, 2017
Probing Vortex Dynamics in 2D Superconductors with Scanning Quantum Microscope
Sreehari Jayaram1, Malik Lenger1, Dong Zhao2,3,4
1University of Stuttgart, 3rd Institute of Physics, Allmandring 13, Stuttgart 70569, Germany.
Abstract:
Magnetic dynamics at the nanoscale provide crucial insight into the behavior of superconductors. Using single-spin scanning quantum microscopy, we probe vortex dynamics in the two-dimensional superconductor NbSe_{2}. Our measurements reveal a disordered vortex glass phase that melts near the critical temperature and displays cooling-rate-dependent configurations. Surprisingly, magnetic noise persists well below T_{c}, with a strength that increases at lower temperatures-contrary to expectations. This behavior, detected via spin decoherence, points to an intrinsic origin driven by competition between supercurrent density and thermal fluctuations. Our results establish single-spin microscopy as a powerful platform for investigating fluctuations in 2D superconductors.
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