History and metastability effects in the intermediate state of mesoscopic type I superconducting Indium

Abstract

We report detailed magnetic measurements on history and metastability effects in the intermediate state of mesoscopic cylinders of type I superconducting Indium. This includes the observation of topological hysteresis with the signature occurrence of different critical fields during flux entry and flux exit. We show the existence of a plethora of metastable configuration and recipes to access them. We also demonstrate the manifestation of superheating and supercooling of superconducting and normal states, respectively across the superconductivity transition.

Equilibrium intermediate-state patterns in a type-I superconducting slab in an arbitrarily oriented applied magnetic field

“…This so-called "topological hysteresis" arises from the way the intermediate state is formed after ZFC. 11,16,73 When a perpendicular magnetic field is applied to a superconducting sample, it starts to protrude into the interior in fields above (1 − N z )H c in the form of a fingerlike pattern. 26,70,74,75 Meissner currents pinch off the protrusions in the form of flux tubes and the Lorentz force drives the tubes into the sample.…”