Topological defects in open superconducting nanotubes after gradual and abrupt switching of the transport current and magnetic field

Abstract

We analyze dynamics of the order parameter in superconductor open nanotubes under a strong transport current in an external homogeneous magnetic field using the time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau equation. Near the critical transport current, the dissipation processes are driven by vortex and phase-slip dynamics. A transition between the vortex and phase-slip regimes is found to depend on the external magnetic field only weakly if the magnetic field and/or transport current are switched on gradually. In the case of an abrupt switch-on of the magnetic field or transport current, the system can be triggered to the stable phase-slip regime within a certain window of parameters. Finally, a hysteresis effect in the current-voltage characteristics is predicted in superconductor open nanotubes.