Commensurability effects at nonmatching fields for vortices in diluted periodic pinning arrays

Abstract

Using numerical simulations, we demonstrate that superconductors containing periodic pinning arrays, which have been diluted through random removal of a fraction of the pins, have pronounced commensurability effects at the same magnetic field strength as undiluted pinning arrays. The commensuration can occur at fields significantly higher than the matching field, produces much greater critical current enhancement than a random pinning arrangement due to suppression of vortex channeling, and persists for arrays with up to 90% dilution. These results suggest that diluted periodic pinning arrays may be a promising geometry to increase the critical current in superconductors over a wide magnetic field range.