arXiv subjects

Ya-Xun He

Publications and source records attributed to Ya-Xun He.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Grain Boundary Engineering Effect on Vortex Matter in Superconducting Films

Grain boundaries (GBs) in polycrystalline superconducting films act as a double-edged sword: they can pin vortices or degrade superconductivity through Josephson-like weak-link coupling. Here, we demonstrate that sputtering pressure tunes GB coupling in NbTiN films and visualize its consequences for vortex matter. The 5 mTorr film exhibits dispersed grain orientations and a two-step resistive transition under field, signaling intergranular weak-link behavior. In contrast, the 7 mTorr film develops a (111) texture, a single-step transition, higher critical current density, a second magnetization peak, and a {\delta}l-type pinning response consistent with improved GB coupling. Cryogenic magnetic force microscopy reveals a spatially heterogeneous, cluster-like vortex configuration in the 5 mTorr film, whereas the 7 mTorr film hosts a more uniform distribution with enhanced local order. These results establish a connection between deposition-controlled GB connectivity, macroscopic weak-link transport, and microscopic vortex organization, providing a practical route to tailor vortex pinning in polycrystalline superconducting films.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2026

Controlled Manipulation of Intermediate State in a Type-I Superconductor

The intermediate state of type-I superconductors presents a classic paradigm of modulated pattern formation, arising from the competition between short-range attractive and long-range repulsive vortex-vortex interactions. However, direct visualization and, more importantly, active control over the topology and dynamics of these flux structures have remained significant challenges, limiting our ability to manipulate them for fundamental studies and potential applications. Here, using low-temperature magnetic force microscopy, we achieve direct imaging and controllable manipulation of the flux structures in a high-purity tantalum single crystal. We systematically track the evolution of flux morphology - from tubes to stripes - during flux penetration and expulsion, revealing a pronounced topological hysteresis originating from the geometric barrier. Furthermore, we demonstrate precise local control by using the magnetic tip to drag and merge individual flux tubes and to reconfigure entire stripe domains. Under global alternating current (AC) excitation, we discover a reversible stripe-grid-stripe transition, a dynamic reorganization driven by current-induced flux penetration and pinning effects. The corresponding phase diagram shows that the threshold current decreases with magnetic field but increases with AC frequency. Our work establishes a pathway for active flux manipulation in type-I superconductors, revealing rich dynamics and paving the way for flux-based superconducting devices.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2026

Competing Constraints on Superconductivity in Thick FeSe films

Superconducting films emerge from the complex interplay of multiple growth parameters, making their optimization challenging. In iron-based superconductors, compressive strain is known to enhance the transition temperature (Tc) of FeSe films, yet reported Tc values vary widely even on identical substrates, indicating factors beyond strain are critical. Here, we develop a high-throughput off-center pulsed laser deposition strategy that transforms plume inhomogeneity into combinatorial FeSe film libraries with continuous gradients in lattice parameter, composition, and disorder. We discover that the maximum Tc does not coincide with the plume center but can shift off-center, revealing a competition between favorable c-axis expansion, stoichiometry, and defect scattering. Systematic characterization of 80 thick films (>50 nm), combined with interpretable machine learning, shows that besides the strong correlate of c-axis lattice parameter to Tc, the stoichiometry and disorder scattering impose critical constraints on the achievable transition temperature, defining a narrow optimization window rather than a simple monotonic relationship. This framework yields Tconset=17.1 K in thick FeSe films and establishes a general framework combining combinatorial synthesis with machine learning to uncover constrained optimization landscapes in complex functional materials.

cond-mat.supr-con↗