The strengthening of reentrant pinning by collective interactions in the peak effect

TL;DR

This paper investigates the peak effect in superconducting metallic glasses, revealing that collective interactions, rather than increased pinning centers, strengthen reentrant pinning and broaden the peak effect.

Contribution

It demonstrates that the peak effect is enhanced by collective vortex interactions, challenging the traditional view that pinning centers solely determine the effect.

Findings

Peak effect broadens with decreasing pinning force.

Reentrant pinning is due to collective interaction strengthening.

Results mapped in a phase diagram showing the relationship.

Abstract

Since it was first observed about 40 years ago [1], the peak effect has been the subject of numerous research mainly impelled by the desire to determine its exact mechanisms. Despite these efforts, a consensus on this question has yet to be reached. Experimentally, the peak effect indicates a transition from a depinned vortex phase to a reentrant pinning phase at high magnetic field. To study the effects of intrinsic pinning on the peak effect, we consider Fe$_{x}$Ni$_{1-x}$Zr$_{2}$ superconducting metallic glasses in which the vortex pinning force varies depending on the Fe content and in which a huge peak effect is seen as a function of magnetic field. The results are mapped out as a phase diagram in which it is readily seen that the peak effect becomes broader with decreasing pinning force. Typically, pinning can be understood by increased pinning centers, but here, we show that reentrant pinning is due to the strengthening of interactions (while decreasing pinning strength). Our results demonstrate the strengthening of the peak effect by collective effects.