Interacting nanopatterned pins: barriers towards creating interstitial vortices

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that nano-patterned blind holes in a superconductor induce a metastable magnetization response by creating a barrier that separates vortices into distinct populations, advancing understanding of vortex behavior in nanostructured superconductors.

Contribution

It introduces a novel nano-patterning technique that creates a barrier affecting vortex distribution, revealing new insights into vortex phase separation in superconductors.

Findings

Magnetic field sweep rate influences metastable magnetization.

Blind hole patterning causes vortex phase separation.

Barrier effect alters vortex redistribution dynamics.

Abstract

We show that by nano-patterning a superconductor (NbSe2 single crystal) with an array of blind holes produces significant magnetic field sweep rate dependent metastable magnetization response. Our results are explained on the basis of a unique collective action of the blind holes pins which creates a barrier against vortex redistribution inside the sample. We propose that this barrier leads to a phase separation creating distinct population of vortices viz., those pinned on blind holes and those confined in the interstitials between the holes.