Vortex pinning: A probe for nanoscale disorder in iron-based superconductors

  • C. J. Van Der Beek
  • , S. Demirdis
  • , M. Konczykowski
  • , Y. Fasano
  • , N. R. Cejas Bolecek
  • , H. Pastoriza
  • , D. Colson
  • , F. Rullier-Albenque

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The pinning of quantized flux lines, or vortices, in the mixed state is used to quantify the effect of impurities in iron-based superconductors (IBS). Disorder at two length scales is relevant in these materials. Strong flux pinning resulting from nm-scale heterogeneity of the superconducting properties leads to the very disordered vortex ensembles observed in the IBS, and to the pronounced maximum in the critical current density j c at low magnetic fields. Disorder at the atomic scale, most likely induced by the dopant atoms, leads to weak collective pinning and a magnetic field-independent contribution j c coll. The latter allows one to estimate quasiparticle scattering rates.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1746-1749
Number of pages4
JournalPhysica B: Physics of Condensed Matter
Volume407
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jun 2012

Keywords

  • Critical current
  • Heterogeneity
  • Iron based superconductors
  • Vortex pinning

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Vortex pinning: A probe for nanoscale disorder in iron-based superconductors'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this