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Condensed Matter > Superconductivity
Title: Scanning quantum vortex microscopy reveals thickness-dependent pinning nano-network in superconducting Nb-films
(Submitted on 29 Mar 2024)
Abstract: The presence of quantum vortices determines the electromagnetic response of superconducting materials and devices. Controlling the vortex motion, their pinning on intrinsic and artificial defects is therefore essential for superconducting electronics. Here we take advantage of the attractive force between a magnetic cantilever of the Magnetic Force Microscope and a single quantum vortex to spatially map the pinning force inside 50-240 nm thick magnetron-sputtered Nb-films, commonly used in advanced superconducting electronics. The revealed pinning nano-network is related to the thickness-dependent granular structure of the films as well as to the characteristic microscopic scales of superconductivity. Our approach is general, and can be directly applied to other type II granular superconducting materials and nanodevices.
Submission history
From: Igor A Golovchanskiy [view email][v1] Fri, 29 Mar 2024 11:31:09 GMT (691kb,D)
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