Creation and pinning of vortex-antivortex pairs

TL;DR

This study uses computer modeling to investigate how magnetic vortex-antivortex pairs are created and pinned in superconducting films, revealing conditions for stable pairs and potential applications in nonvolatile memory devices.

Contribution

It demonstrates the creation and pinning of vortex-antivortex pairs in superconducting films with and without antidot pins, highlighting conditions for stability and memory potential.

Findings

Two V-AV pairs form at certain flux ranges without pins.

Single V-AV pair can be stabilized with antidot pins.

Pinned V-AV pairs remain stable after removing the field, enabling memory applications.

Abstract

Computer modeling is reported about the creation and pinning of a magnetic vortex-antivortex (V-AV) pair in a superconducting thin film, due to the magnetic field of a vertical magnetic dipole above the film, and two antidot pins inside the film. For film thickness $= 0.1\xi$, $\kappa = 2$, and no pins, we find the film carries two V-AV pairs at steady state in the imposed flux range $2.10\Phi_0 < \Phi^+ < 3.0\Phi_0$, and no pairs below. With two antidot pins suitably introduced into the film, a single V-AV pair can be stable in the film for $\Phi^+ \ge 1.3\Phi_0$. At pin separation $\ge 17\xi$, we find the V-AV pair remains pinned after the dipole field is removed, and, so can represent a 1 for a nonvolatile memory.