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arXiv · 1104.1129

Vortex core deformation and stepper motor behavior in a superconducting ratchet

J. Van de Vondel·V. N. Gladilin·A. V. Silhanek·W. Gillijns·J. Tempere·J. T. Devreese·V. V. Moshchalkov
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Abstract

We investigated experimentally the frequency dependence of a superconducting vortex ratchet effect by means of electrical transport measurements and modeled it theoretically using the time dependent Ginzburg-Landau formalism. We demonstrate that the high frequency vortex behavior can be described as a discrete motion of a particle in a periodic potential, i.e. the so called stepper motor behavior. Strikingly, in the more conventional low frequency response a transition takes place from an Abrikosov vortex rectifier to a phase slip line rectifier. This transition is characterized by a strong increase in the rectified voltage and the appearance of a pronounced hysteretic behavior.

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J. Van de Vondel, V. N. Gladilin, A. V. Silhanek, W. Gillijns, J. Tempere, J. T. Devreese, V. V. Moshchalkov. 2011-04-06. Vortex core deformation and stepper motor behavior in a superconducting ratchet. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.106.137003

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