Critical Current Densities and Force-displacement Characteristics of Fluxoids in Ba1-xKxFe2As2 Single Crystal

Abstract

The superconducting Ba1-xKxFe2As2 (x = 0.4) single crystals were prepared by the so-called FeAs self-flux method. The critical temperature by ac susceptibility measurement was estimated to be about 36 K. The magnetic field and temperature dependences of critical current densities were investigated by an ac inductive measurement (Campbell's method). Unlike the phenomenon of co-existence of the global and local critical current densities observed in many polycrystalline Fe-based superconducting pnictides, it was found that only a uniform critical current density (Jc) flows through the whole sample. The value of Jc at 20 K and 1 T was about 5×108 A/m2, which is much smaller than the local critical current density observed in polycrystalline samples. The force-displacement characteristic of fluxoids in sample was investigated. The Labusch parameter was found to increase monotonously with increasing magnetic field, while the interaction distance was proportional to the fluxoid spacing. These results are consistent with the prediction based on a simple flux pinning mechanism.