Single Superconducting Vortex Depinning Force Measured with a Magnetic Force Microscope

ORAL

Abstract

The pinning of vortices plays an important role in superconductor applications, allowing transport currents to flow without dissipation. Measurements of vortex pinning to date have mostly been bulk measurements, yielding average properties without specific information about individual vortex pinning sites or strengths. We demonstrate the use of a magnetic force microscope to measure the depinning forces of single vortices in a superconducting YBa$_{2}$Cu$_{3}$O$_{7-\delta}$ film.

Authors

  • J.E. Hoffman

    Harvard University

  • Andrew Whitehead

    Massachusetts Institute of Technology

  • N.C. Koshnick

    Stanford University

  • O.M. Auslaender

    Stanford University

  • E. Straver

    Stanford University

  • R.A. Hughes

    McMaster University

  • John S. Preston

    McMaster University

  • Dan Rugar

    IBM Research Division, Almaden Research Center, San Jose, CA 95120, IBM Almaden

  • K.A. Moler

    Geballe Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Stanford University, Department of Applied Physics and Geballe Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Stanford University, Stanford University, Department of Applied Physics and Gebelle Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Stanford University