The magnetic response is a state-defining property of superconductors. The magnetic flux penetrates type-II bulk superconductors by forming quantum vortices when the enclosed magnetic flux is equal to the magnetic flux quantum. The flux quantum is the universal quantity that depends only on the ratio of fundamental constants: the electron charge and the Planck constant. This work investigates the vortex state in the hole-overdoped Ba 1−x K x Fe 2 As 2 by using scanning superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometry. We observed quantum vortices that carry only a fraction of the flux quantum, which vary continuously with temperature. This finding establishes the phenomenon that superconductors support quantum vortices with non-universally quantized magnetic flux. Furthermore, the demonstrations of the mobility of the fractional vortices and the manipulability of their positions open up a route for future fluxonics applications.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.