Hysteretic Vortex-Matching Effects in High- Tc Superconductors with Nanoscale Periodic Pinning Landscapes Fabricated by He Ion-Beam Projection

Abstract

Spintronics is not the only alternative to traditional electronics. The $f\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}l\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}u\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}x\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}o\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}n$ (magnetic flux quantum) could be used as a vehicle for ultralow-energy data processing and storage, in fluxonic devices. First, though, we need to figure out how to create circuitry. The authors demonstrate a technique for fabricating submicrometer patterns over a wide area in a cuprate superconductor, where fluxons are carried by nanoscale magnetic vortices. Being able to create these ``pinning centers'' at will allows for trapping and manipulating vortices in a controlled fashion.