Estimation of vortex density after superconducting film quench

TL;DR

This paper investigates how vortices form in superconducting films after rapid cooling, highlighting differences from 2D cases and proposing experimental tests for theoretical models.

Contribution

It extends vortex formation theories from 2D systems to thin films, analyzing the roles of scalar and gauge field fluctuations.

Findings

Vortex formation mechanisms differ in thin films compared to 2D systems.

Proposes experimental methods to test vortex formation theories.

Analyzes recent experiments in the context of theoretical predictions.

Abstract

This paper addresses the problem of vortex formation during a rapid quench in a superconducting film. It builds on previous work showing that in a local gauge theory there are two distinct mechanisms of defect formation, based on fluctuations of the scalar and gauge fields, respectively. We show how vortex formation in a thin film differs from the fully two-dimensional case, on which most theoretical studies have focused. We discuss ways of testing theoretical predictions in superconductor experiments and analyse the results of recent experiments in this light.