Transport of magnetic vortices by surface acoustic waves

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that surface acoustic waves can dynamically manipulate magnetic vortices in a superconductor, acting as a conveyor for flux quanta, which advances flux-based electronic device development.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method of using surface acoustic waves to control vortex motion in superconductors, showing dynamic pinning and flux transport capabilities.

Findings

SAWs induce a dc voltage perpendicular to sound path

Vortex motion is evidenced by antisymmetric flux response

Dynamic vortex manipulation is feasible for flux-based devices

Abstract

In a thin film of superconducting YBCO the impact of surface acoustic waves (SAWs) traveling on the piezoelectric substrate is investigated. A pronounced interaction between the ultrasonic waves and the vortex system in the type II superconductor is observed. The occurrence of a SAW-induced dc voltage perpendicular to the sound path is interpreted as {\em dynamic pinning} of vortices by the piezoacoustic SAW, which acts as a conveyor for the fluxquanta. Its antisymmetry with respect to the magnetic field directly evidences the induced, directed flux motion.This dynamic manipulation of vortices can be seen as an important step towards flux-based electronic devices.