Strong vortex matching effects in YBCO films with periodic modulations of the superconducting order parameter fabricated by masked ion irradiation

• Published in: Physica. C, Superconductivity Vol. 503; pp. 75 - 81
• Main Authors: HAAG, L. T, ZECHNER, G, LANG, W, DOSMAILOV, M, BODEA, M. A, PEDARNIG, J. D
• Format: Conference Proceeding Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier 15.08.2014
• Subjects: Arrays; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; COPPER OXIDE; Exact sciences and technology; FABRICATION; Flux pinning; Magnetoresistance; Magnetoresistivity; Mesoscopic and nanoscale systems; Modulation; Order parameters; PARAMETERS; Physics; PINNING; Properties of type I and type II superconductors; RADIATION; Superconducting films and low-dimensional structures; SUPERCONDUCTIVITY; SUPERCONDUCTORS; THIN FILMS; Vortex lattices ,flux pinning, flux creep; YBCO superconductors; YTTRIUM OXIDE; Superconducting thin films; Radiation effects; Point defects; superconductors; Irradiation defect; Order parameters; Computerized simulation; Vortex matching; Critical current; Ion irradiation; Modulation; Vortices; Masked ion irradiation; High-Tc superconductors; Flux-line lattices; Magnetoresistance; High-T; Barium Copper Yttrium Oxides Mixed
• ISSN: 0921-4534; 1873-2143
• DOI: 10.1016/j.physc.2014.03.032

We report on measurements of the magnetoresistance and of the critical current in thin films of the high-temperature superconductor YBa sub(2)Cu sub(3)O sub(7- delta )YBa2Cu3O7- delta (YBCO). A square array of regions with suppressed superconducting order parameter has been created in these films by introducing point defects via irradiation with He super(+)He+ ions through a silicon stencil mask. In such a structure distinct peaks of the critical current can be observed at commensurate arrangements of magnetic flux quanta with the artificial defect lattice. Concurrently, the magnetoresistance shows pronounced minima. Both observations demonstrate that the strong intrinsic pinning in YBCO can be overcome by a periodic array of ion-damage columns with 300 nm spacing.