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Vortex microavalanches in superconducting Pb thin films

H. A. Radovan·R. J. Zieve
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Abstract

Local magnetization measurements on 100 nm type-II superconducting Pb thin films show that flux penetration changes qualitatively with temperature. Small flux jumps at the lowest temperatures gradually increase in size, then disappear near T = 0.7Tc. Comparison with other experiments suggests that the avalanches correspond to dendritic flux protrusions. Reproducibility of the first flux jumps in a decreasing magnetic field indicates a role for defect structure in determining avalanches. We also find a temperature-independent final magnetization after flux jumps, analogous to the angle of repose of a sandpile.

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H. A. Radovan, R. J. Zieve. 2003-07-04. Vortex microavalanches in superconducting Pb thin films. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevb.68.224509

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