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Dendritic flux avalanches in superconducting Nb3Sn films

I. A. Rudnev·S. V. Antonenko·D. V. Shantsev·T. H. Johansen
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Abstract

The penetration of magnetic flux into a thin superconducting film of Nb3Sn with critical temperature 17.8K and critical current density 6MA/cm^2 was visualized using magneto-optical imaging. Below 8 K an avalanche-like flux penetration in form of big and branching dendritic structures was observed in response to increasing perpendicular applied field. When a growing dendritic branch meets a linear defect in the film, several scenarios were observed: the branch can turn and propagate along the defect, continue propagation right through it, or "tunnel" along a flux-filled defect and continue growth from its other end. The avalanches manifest themselves in numerous small and random jumps found in the magnetization curve.

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I. A. Rudnev, S. V. Antonenko, D. V. Shantsev, T. H. Johansen. 2003-02-24. Dendritic flux avalanches in superconducting Nb3Sn films. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0011-2275(03)00157-7

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