Penetration and transformations of vortices in bulk current-carrying superconductors

TL;DR

This paper develops a theoretical model for the viscous evolution of vortices in bulk type II superconductors, revealing how vortex penetration modes depend on surface current and lead to significant shape transformations affecting vortex dynamics.

Contribution

It introduces a new analytical framework for understanding vortex penetration and shape transformations in bulk superconductors under surface currents.

Findings

Vortex penetration occurs as either a flexible stick or elastic thread.

Giant vortex core stretching occurs in the elastic regime.

Vortex velocity and shape are significantly affected by surface current values.

Abstract

The equations of viscous evolution of 3D arbitrarily shaped vortices in an isotropic type II superconductor and necessary boundary conditions are formulated in the frame of London approximation. The theory is applied to analyse characteristic scenaria of vortex penetration into current-carrying thick plate or bulk samples with another geometry. It is shown that regarding of the surface transport current value a vortex penetrates either as "flexible stick" or as "elastic thread". The latter regime is accompanied by giant stretching of the vortex core along the current-induced surface magnetic field. This geometrical transformation leads to decrease of viscous friction and large increase of the vortex drift velocity as compared with the stick-like regime. As a result, the vortex first winds round the sample cross-section and forms a ring-like curve, and only later begins to move deep into the sample interior. The analytical estimates of the vortex shape and stretching and its velocity are obtained.