Guiding superconducting vortices by magnetic domain walls

TL;DR

This paper explores how magnetic domain walls in a hybrid superconductor/ferromagnetic system can be used to control vortex movement and pinning, offering new ways to manipulate superconducting vortices.

Contribution

It introduces a model explaining vortex pinning by magnetic domain walls, demonstrating anisotropic vortex control in superconductor/ferromagnetic hybrids.

Findings

Enhanced vortex pinning on domain walls.

Directional vortex motion can be manipulated.

Model explains vortex-domain wall interactions.

Abstract

We demonstrate a unique prospect for inducing anisotropic vortex pinning and manipulating the directional motion of vortices using the stripe domain patterns of a uniaxial magnetic film in a the superconducting/ferromagnetic hybrid. Our observations can be described by a model, which considers interactions between magnetic charges of vortices and surface magnetic charges of domains resulting in the enhanced pinning of vortices on domain walls.