Extreme vortex pinning in the non-centrosymmetric superconductor CePt$_{3}$Si

TL;DR

This study investigates vortex dynamics in the non-centrosymmetric superconductor CePt$_{3}$Si, revealing unusually low vortex creep rates and suggesting unique pinning mechanisms beyond critical current effects.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed analysis of vortex creep in CePt$_{3}$Si, highlighting its exceptional vortex pinning properties compared to other superconductors.

Findings

Logarithmic decay of remnant magnetization consistent with Kim-Anderson theory

Vortex creep rates are lower than in any other centrosymmetric superconductor

Low critical current indicates alternative flux pinning mechanisms

Abstract

We report on the vortex dynamics of a single crystal of the non-centrosymmetric heavy-fermion superconductor CePt$_{3}$Si. Decays of the remnant magnetization display a clean logarithmic time dependence with rates that follow the temperature dependence expected from the Kim-Anderson theory. The creep rates are lower than observed in any other centrosymmetric superconductor and are not caused by high critical currents. On the contrary, the critical current in CePt$_{3}$Si is considerably lower than in other superconductors with strong vortex pinning indicating that an alternative impediment on the flux line motion might be at work in this superconductor.