Fluxoid quantization in the critical current of a niobium superconducting loop far below the critical temperature

Abstract

The critical current of a niobium type II superconducting loop has been measured far below the critical temperature using contacts applied symmetrically or asymmetrically around the loop. The magnetic field dependence of the critical current allows a direct observation of the circulating current resulting from the fluxoid quantization and presents a saw-tooth behavior. The periodicity is given by a flux quantum through the outer area of the loop. Despite the presence of many vortices at high magnetic fields, the circulating current finds its way in between them and still has an impact on the total critical current of the loop. Macroscopic quantum coherence effects in such a niobium loop allow observing single quanta changes of the fluxoid up to a magnetic field of 1.2 T.