Evidence of Vortex Jamming in Abrikosov Vortex Flux Flow Regime

TL;DR

This paper investigates vortex dynamics in mesoscopic superconducting Nb channels, revealing vortex chain formation and jamming effects that influence flux flow, with implications for superconducting device design.

Contribution

It provides experimental evidence of vortex jamming and ordered vortex chains in mesoscopic superconductors, advancing understanding of vortex behavior in confined geometries.

Findings

Vortices form ordered chains in mesoscopic Nb channels.

Vortex jamming causes voltage rectification effects.

Vortex dynamics can be manipulated for device applications.

Abstract

We report on dynamics of non-local Abrikosov vortex flow in mesoscopic superconducting Nb channels. Magnetic field dependence of the non-local voltage induced by the flux flow shows that vortices form ordered vortex chains. Voltage asymmetry (rectification) with respect to the direction of vortex flow is evidence that vortex jamming strongly moderates vortex dynamics in mesoscopic geometries. The findings can be applied to superconducting devices exploiting vortex dynamics and vortex manipulation, including superconducting wires with engineered pinning centers.