Paving the Way for the Success of Magneto-Optics

TL;DR

This paper reviews the historical development of high-resolution magneto-optical imaging techniques from 1970 to 1980, highlighting their applications in studying flux structures in superconductors, especially after the discovery of high-temperature superconductivity.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of early magneto-optical imaging developments and their application to flux studies in superconductors, emphasizing historical context.

Findings

Magneto-optical imaging gained popularity post-1980s.

Techniques were applied to study flux penetration in type-I superconductors.

Determination of pinning forces in type-II superconductors was achieved.

Abstract

Quantitative high resolution magneto-optical imaging of flux structures as developed in the period between 1970 and 1980 gained much popularity after the discovery of high temperature superconductivity in cuprates. In this historical review the developments of the early days are described with applications of this technique to study flux penetration in type-I superconductors and the determination of pinning forces in type-II superconductors.