Abstract: We have used scanning Hall probe and local Hall magnetometry measurements to map flux profiles in superconducting Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ disks whose diameters span the crossover between the bulk and mesoscopic vortex regimes. The behaviour of large disks (greater-or-equal, slanted20 μm diameter) is well described by analytic models that assume a continuous distribution of flux in the sample. Small disks (less-than-or-equals, slant10 μm diameter), on the other hand, exhibit clear signatures of the underlying discrete vortex structure as well as competition between triangular Abrikosov ordering and the formation of shell structures driven by interactions with circulating edge currents. At low fields we are able to directly observe the characteristic mesoscopic compression of vortex clusters which is linked to oscillations in the diameter of the vortex dome in increasing magnetic fields. At higher fields, where single vortex resolution is lost, we are still able to track configurational changes in the vortex patterns, since competing vortex orders impose unmistakable signatures on local magnetisation curves. Our observations are in excellent agreement with molecular-dynamics numerical simulations which lead us to a natural definition of the lengthscale for the crossover between discrete and continuum behaviour in our system.

Abstract: We demonstrate experimentally and theoretically that the dissipative state at high current densities of superconducting samples with a periodic array of holes consist of flux rivers resulting from a short range attractive interaction between vortices. This dynamically induced vortexvortex attraction results from the migration of quasiparticles out of the vortex core. We have directly visualized the formation of vortex chains by scanning Hall microscopy after freezing the dynamic state by a field cooling procedure at constant bias current. Similar experiments carried out in a sample without holes show no hint of flux river formation.

Abstract: The dynamics of vortex matter in mesoscopic superconducting Corbino disk is strongly influenced by the discrete vortex structure arranged in shells. While in previous works the vortex dynamics has been studied in large (macroscopic) and in very small mesoscopic disks (containing only few shells), in the intermediate-size regime it is much more complex and unusual, due to: (i) the competition between the vortexvortex interaction and confinement and (ii) (in)commensurability among the vortex shells. We found that the interplay between these effects can result in a very unusual vortex dynamical behavior: (i) unconventional angular melting (i.e., propagating from the boundary, where the shear stress is minimum, towards the center) and (ii) unconventional dynamics of shells (i.e., the inversion of shell velocities with respect to the gradient driving force). This unusual behavior is found for different number of shells.

Abstract: We study the rectification of vortex motion in an asymmetric ring channel in a Corbino setup. With an applied ac current, the motion of vortices in the channel is rectified by the asymmetric potential and induces a dc net flow. The net flow in such a system strongly depends on vortex density, and we distinguish “single-vortex'' rectification regime (for low density, when each vortex is rectified individually) determined by the potential-energy landscape inside each cell of the channel and ”multi-vortex'', or "collective'', rectification (high density case) when the interaction between vortices becomes important. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Abstract: When a condensate is sheared by imparting a velocity to a part of the condensate, phase singularities must appear at the interface between the region that is still at rest and the region that has acquired a velocity. For helium, Feynman argued that these phase singularies will arrange themselves in the form of a vortex row. BoseEinstein condensates of ultracold atomic gases differ from helium in that the healing length is generally much larger and is, in fact, tunable. Another difference is that multicomponent condensates can be created, where the two components forming the mixture are usually two different hyperfine states of the condensed atoms. These two components can be manipulated separately and can be interconverted. In this contribution, we investigate how these additional degrees of freedom, available in quantum gases, change what happens in sheared condensates. In particular, we consider skyrmion rows as an alternative to vortex rows, and we also consider phase slip lines filled with the second, unmoving component, in a condensate mixture. We show that depending on the ratios of the interaction strengths between the components, and depending on the shear velocity, skyrmion rows and phase slip lines can become lower in energy than vortex rows, and hence should be observable in quantum gases. Moreover, we find that the velocity field affects the stability region of the condensate with respect to phase separation.

Abstract: The pattern formation of the vortex states with non-monotonic inter-vortex interaction is investigated. Our applied model has a short-range repulsive (r < r(c)) and long-range attractive (r > r(c)) potential. We numerically calculate the stable states using molecular-dynamics simulations. The obtained vortex patterns are comparable with the vortices states in low kappa type-II superconductors and recently discovered "type-1.5'' superconductors. We also analyze the nearest neighbor distribution of the obtained patterns. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Abstract: We study the coherent dynamics of pairing in a nanoscale superconductor, that is intrinsically multiband, after an external perturbation in the non-adiabatic regime. The description of the dynamics of the pairing order is within the density-matrix approach based on the BCS model and the Bogoliubov-de Gennes equations. We find that for certain resonant wire widths the superconducting order parameter exhibits two oscillatory frequencies which are determined by the long-time asymptotic values of the subgaps. This in turn leads to a pronounced beating phenomenon. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Abstract: By means of electron diffraction the 2 root 2 a(p) x 2 root 2 a(p) phase, well-known in YBa2Cu3O7-delta was observed in two other perovskite-based materials (Y0.75Ce0.25)(2)(Sr0.85Y0.15)(2)AlCU2O9 and Bi1.8Pb0.4Sr2Ca2Cu3O10+x. Highly correlated ordering is observed in the ab-plane, the correlation along the c-direction being weak. The plane group of the superstructure symmetry elements was determined on the basis of observed reflection conditions in diffraction patterns. Our results unambiguously rule out oxygen ordering as a possible origin of the superstructure. Experimental evidence points out that the superstructure is associated with the CuO2 layers, that are the only structural elements common to the three compounds studied. A model is proposed where the CuO2 sheet is displacively modulated. Experimental evidence suggests a correlation between adjacent CuO2 sheets. Comparison of simulated and experimental [001] zone diffraction patterns strongly supports our model.

Abstract: The perfect as well as the defect structure of several members of the superconducting family HgBa2Can-1CunO2n+2+delta have been studied in detail by electron diffraction and high-resolution electron microscopy Identification of the cation configuration is possible, even in the defect regions, with the help of computer simulations. The fine structure of several defects is analyzed in detail, the most common defect being the intergrowth of slabs corresponding to different n values in the title formula. In general, however, the crystals are of a high perfection, particularly for the lower n members. The occurrence of double (HgO)delta layers is seen occasionally, indicating the possible existence of a material with a double mercury layer. Some of these defects are possibly related to recently discovered anomalies at 250 K in these compounds.

Abstract: A new superconducting mercury oxycarbonate, Pb0.7Hg0.3Sr4Cu2CO3O7, has been synthesized. This tetragonal phase (a = 3.824 angstrom, c= 16.468 angstrom) consists of an intergrowth of two nonsuperconducting compounds, Sr2CuO2CO3 and Pb0.7Hg0.3Sr2CuO5. It exhibits after optimization a critical temperature of 70 K, with a sharp transition and a superconducting volume fraction of 50%. Its behavior can be compared to that of thallium oxycarbonates previously isolated. This study is completed by a reinvestigation of the 1212 cuprate of the system Hg-Pb-Sr-Ca-Nd-Cu. A superconducting phase with the 1212 structure, similar to that previously obtained but with a significantly different composition, Pb0.7Hg0.3Sr2+xCa0.7Nd0.3-xCu2O7, has been obtained, with a T(c onset) of 100 K. The behavior of the latter is compared with other lead-based 1212 cuprates.

Abstract: In Bi2Sr2Ca0.6Y0.4Cu2Oy single crystals we have identified the intergrowth of two phases; a normal Bi2Sr2CaCu2Oy type phase with a 4.6b modulation period and a secondary,phase with a 9.4b modulation period. Both the two phases have orthorhombic basic structures with similar lattice parameters but different symmetries, i.e. Bbmb for the normal phase and Ccca for the secondary phase. The c-parameters of these two phases are found to vary independently upon changing the nominal Y content. The modulation characteristics of the secondary phase implies a close structural relation between the two phases. Both phases are discussed from a structural and a compositional point of view.

Abstract: Oxygen ordering has been investigated in superconducting ABa2Cu3O7-delta ceramic materials with A = Er, Nd, Sm and Yb, as well as in samples of this type with the rate earth A partially substituted by Pr. The critical temperature T(c) was determined as a function of the oxygen deficiency-delta of the compound and the corresponding microstructures were investigated by electron diffraction and electron microscopy. A distinct relationship exists between the width of the 60 K plateau and the ortho II ordering. Our results show that the ortho II ordered phase is the superconducting phase with a characteristic T(c) of 60 K.