Vortex dynamics as a function of field orientation in BaFe1.9Ni0.1As2

TL;DR

This study investigates vortex dynamics in BaFe1.9Ni0.1As2 superconductors, revealing isotropic vortex pinning, anisotropic vortex behavior, and a consistent pinning regime across different field orientations and temperatures.

Contribution

It demonstrates that vortex pinning in BaFe1.9Ni0.1As2 is isotropic and related to point defects, with a universal flux-creep behavior across field orientations and a single pinning regime.

Findings

Vortex pinning is isotropic and three-dimensional.

Flux-creep activation energy scales with temperature.

Pinning regime remains consistent across field orientations.

Abstract

Vortex dynamics in a multiband anisotropic superconducting such as the Fe based superconductors, is interesting and potentially important for applications. In this study we examine flux-creep data for fields along the second magnetization peak observed in M(H) curves of BaFe$_{1.9}$Ni$_{0.1}$As$_2$ for H//c-axis, H//ab$-planes and H forming a 45$^o$ angle with ab-planes. We find that the M-H loops taken from the different field directions can be collapsed onto a single universal curve at all temperatures with a simple scaling factor equivalent to the superconducting anisotropy, showing not only that the vortex pinning is isotropic, three dimensional and most likely related to point like defects. The resulting critical currents however, taken from the Bean model appears to show enhanced low field pinning for H//c. The features in the vortex- dynamics also differ in different field orientations and show no direct correlation with the second magnetization peak Hp as is the case with a direct crossover in pinning regimes. Isofield plots of the scaled activation energy obtained from flux-creep data is found to be a smooth function of temperature as the Hp(T) line is crossed consistent with a single type of pinning regime operating at this field, independent of field orientation. The functional form of the Hp(T) lines in the resulting phase diagrams also support this view.