Dynamic Phases of Vortices in Superconductors with Periodic Pinning

TL;DR

This paper investigates the complex dynamical behavior of vortex lattices in superconductors with periodic pinning, revealing distinct flow phases and transitions characterized by jumps in current-voltage responses and changes in vortex arrangements.

Contribution

It provides the first comprehensive simulation-based analysis of vortex dynamics in systems with periodic pinning arrays, highlighting novel phase behaviors not seen with random pinning.

Findings

Identification of multiple dynamical flow phases.

Observation of sharp transitions in current-voltage characteristics.

Mapping of phase diagrams based on system parameters.

Abstract

We present results from extensive simulations of driven vortex lattices interacting with periodic arrays of pinning sites. Changing an applied driving force produces a rich variety of novel dynamical plastic flow phases which are very distinct from those observed in systems with random pinning arrays. Signatures of the transition between these different dynamical phases include sudden jumps in the current-voltage curves as well as marked changes in the vortex trajectories and the vortex lattice order. Several dynamical phase diagrams are obtained as a function of commensurability, pinning strength, and spatial order of the pinning sites.