Vortex avalanches in the noncentrosymmetric superconductorLi2Pt3B

Abstract

We investigated the vortex dynamics in the noncentrosymmetric superconductor ${\text{Li}}_{2}{\text{Pt}}_{3}\text{B}$ in the temperature range 0.1--2.8 K. Two different logarithmic creep regimes in the decay of the remanent magnetization from the Bean critical state have been observed. In the first regime, the creep rate is extraordinarily small, indicating the existence of an unconventional very effective pinning mechanism. At a certain time, a vortex avalanche occurs that increases the logarithmic creep rate by a factor of about 5 to 10 depending on the temperature. This may indicate that certain barriers against flux motion are present and they can be opened under increased pressure exerted by the vortices.