Microwave response of type-II superconductors at weak pinning

TL;DR

This paper develops a theory for the microwave response of thin film type-II superconductors in the mixed state, emphasizing the effects of spatial fluctuations and nonequilibrium vortex quasiparticles on frequency-dependent conductivity.

Contribution

It introduces a model accounting for random parameter fluctuations and nonequilibrium effects, highlighting the significance of inelastic relaxation in microwave response.

Findings

Microwave response shows strong frequency dispersion due to vortex quasiparticles.

Inelastic relaxation time controls the contribution to ac conductivity.

Debye relaxation mechanism may explain electromagnetic noise effects.

Abstract

Theory of linear microwave response of thin films of type-II superconductors in the mixed state is developed taking into account random spatial fluctuations of the parameters of the system, such as the order parameter, diffusion coefficient, or film thickness. In the regime of collective pinning the microwave response of the system exhibits strong frequency dispersion, arising from nonequilibrium vortex core quasiparticles. The corresponding contribution to the ac conductivity is controlled by the inelastic relaxation time, and may exceed the usual Bardeen-Stephen conductivity. It is caused by the Debye-type inelastic relaxation. Debye mechanism of microwave losses may be responsible for strong effects of electromagnetic noise upon dc conductivity in the mixed state at low temperatures.