# Generating superconducting vortices via spin-orbit coupling

## TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that spin-orbit coupling in superconductor/ferromagnet heterostructures can spontaneously generate and pin vortices, offering a new platform for vortex memory applications.

## Contribution

It introduces a theoretical framework showing how SOC induces vortex formation and pinning in S/F heterostructures, a novel mechanism not previously explored.

## Key findings

- Vortices are spontaneously generated by SOC in S/F heterostructures.
- Weak SOC can stabilize vortex-antivortex pairs.
- Vortices can be pinned along the S/F interface due to SOC.

## Abstract

Spin-orbit coupling (SOC) is known to play an important role in superconductor/ferromagnet heterostructures. Here we demonstrate that SOC results in the spontaneous generation of vortices in an \textit{s}-wave superconductor placed below a ferromagnetic metal with intrinsic or interfacial SOC. By using the generalized London and Ginzburg-Landau theories, we calculate the supercurrent amplitude in various types of S/F heterostructures at and below the superconducting critical temperature. In particular, we show that even in the limit of weak SOC, vortex-antivortex pairs are stabilized and that an attractive interaction between vortices and SOC act to pin vortices along the S/F interface. We discuss key experiments to investigate these phenomena, which would provide a platform to the creation of Abrikosov vortex memory.