[en] Quantized magnetic vortices driven by electric current determine key electromagnetic
properties of superconductors. While the dynamic behavior of slow vortices has been
thoroughly investigated, the physics of ultrafast vortices under strong currents remains
largely unexplored. Here, we use a nanoscale scanning superconducting quantum
interference device to image vortices penetrating into a superconducting Pb film at rates of
tens of GHz and moving with velocities of up to tens of km/s, which are not only much larger
than the speed of sound but also exceed the pair-breaking speed limit of superconducting
condensate. These experiments reveal formation of mesoscopic vortex channels which
undergo cascades of bifurcations as the current and magnetic field increase. Our
numerical simulations predict metamorphosis of fast Abrikosov vortices into mixed
Abrikosov-Josephson vortices at even higher velocities. This work offers an insight into the
fundamental physics of dynamic vortex states of superconductors at high current densities,
crucial for many applications.
Disciplines :
Physics
Author, co-author :
Embon, L.; Weizmann Institute of Science
Anahory, Y.; Weizmann Institute of Science
Jelic, Zeljko ; Université de Liège > Département de physique > Physique expérimentale des matériaux nanostructurés
Lachman, E.O.; Weizmann Institute of Science
Myasoedov, Y.; Weizmann Institute of Science
Huber, M.E.; University of Colorado Denver
Mikitik, G.P.; 6 Verkin Institute for Low Temperature Physics & Engineering, Ukrainian Academy of Sciences
Silhanek, Alejandro ; Université de Liège > Département de physique > Physique expérimentale des matériaux nanostructurés
Milosevic, M.V.; Universiteit Antwerpen - UA
Gurevich, A.; Old Dominion University
Zeldov, E.; Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
Language :
English
Title :
Imaging of super-fast dynamics and flow instabilities of superconducting vortices
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