Model for Vortex Pinning in a Two-Dimensional Inhomogeneous d-wave Superconductor

Details Model for Vortex Pinning in a Two-Dimensional Inhomogeneous d-wave Superconductor Model for Vortex Pinning in a Two-Dimensional Inhomogeneous d-wave Superconductor

2007-09-19

arxiv.org/abs/0709.3064v1

Physics

Condensed Matter

Superconductivity

25 pages, 11 figures. Accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. B

Scientific paper

10.1103/PhysRevB.76.144506

We study a model for the pinning of vortices in a two-dimensional, inhomogeneous, Type-II superconductor in its mixed state. The model is based on a Ginzburg-Landau (GL) free energy functional whose coefficients are determined by the mean-field transition temperature T_{c0} and the zero-temperature penetration depth \lambda(0). We find that if (i) T_{c0} and \lambda(0) are functions of position, and (ii) \lambda^2(0) is proportional to T_{c0}^y, with y greater than 0, then the vortices tend to be pinned where T_{c0}, and hence the magnitude of the superconducting order parameter \Delta, are large. This behavior is in contrast to the usual picture of pinning in Type-II superconductors, where pinning occurs in the small-gap regions. We also compute the local density of states of a model BCS Hamiltonian with d-wave symmetry, in which the pairing field is obtained from Monte Carlo simulations of a GL free energy. Several features observed in scanning tunneling spectroscopy measurements on YBa_2Cu_3O_{6+x} and Bi_2Sr_2CaCu_2O_{8+x} are well reproduced by our model: far from the cores, the local density of states spectrum has a small gap and sharp coherence peaks, while near the cores it has a larger gap with low, broad peaks. Additionally, also in agreement with experiment, the spectrum near the core does not exhibit a zero-energy peak which is, however, observed in other theoretical studies.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Model for Vortex Pinning in a Two-Dimensional Inhomogeneous d-wave Superconductor does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Model for Vortex Pinning in a Two-Dimensional Inhomogeneous d-wave Superconductor, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Model for Vortex Pinning in a Two-Dimensional Inhomogeneous d-wave Superconductor will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-337138