Switchable collective pinning of flux quanta using magnetic vortex arrays

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a hybrid superconducting/ferromagnetic system where magnetic vortex arrays can switch flux pinning on and off, revealing controllable flux lattice behavior and field-induced superconductivity due to magnetic stray fields.

Contribution

It introduces a method to manipulate flux pinning in superconductors using magnetic vortex arrays, enabling switchable collective pinning and novel superconducting phenomena.

Findings

Switchable collective flux pinning controlled by magnetic history.

Observation of field-induced superconductivity from magnetic stray fields.

Demonstration of magnetic vortex arrays influencing flux lattice behavior.

Abstract

We constructed a superconducting/ferromagnetic hybrid system in which the ordering of the pinning potential landscape for flux quanta can be manipulated. Flux pinning is induced by an array of magnetic nanodots in the magnetic vortex state, and controlled by the magnetic history. This allows switching on and off the collective pinning of the flux-lattice. In addition, we observed field-induced superconductivity that originates from the annihilation of flux quanta induced by the stray fields from the magnetic vortices.