0000000000190381
AUTHOR
Catherine Gourdon
Nucleation and Collapse of the Superconducting Phase in Type-I Superconducting Films
The phase transition between the intermediate and normal states in type-I superconducting films is investigated using magneto-optical imaging. Magnetic hysteresis with different transition fields for collapse and nucleation of superconducting domains is found. This is accompanied by topological hysteresis characterized by the collapse of circular domains and the appearance of lamellar domains. Magnetic hysteresis is shown to arise from supercooled and superheated states. Domain-shape instability resulting from long-range magnetic interaction accounts well for topological hysteresis. Connection with similar effects in systems with long-range magnetic interactions is emphasized.
Normal-state bubbles and lamellae in type-I superconductors
International audience; We report an extensive study of the formation of normal-state domains in type-I superconductors. Domain patterns are first considered theoretically. The magnetic interaction between domains is described in the framework of the ``current-loop'' model: the intermediate state is modeled by a set of loops of screening current encircling the domains and interacting as in the free space. This system is shown to be formally equivalent to a set of uniformly magnetized domains. An extension of the current-loop model is proposed to take into account the constraint of the magnetic shielding by the superconducting regions. We determine the free energy of a hexagonal array of cyl…
Unusual domain-wall motion in ferromagnetic semiconductor films with tetragonal anisotropy
International audience; Magnetic field-driven domain-wall propagation in the flow regime is investigated in (Ga, Mn) As ferromagnetic semiconductor layers. Square-shape magnetic domains with an unexpected orientation of their edges, at pi/8 with respect to the anisotropy axes, are found. This is shown to arise from the effect of tetragonal magnetic anisotropy on domain-wall dynamics. Using a one-dimensional model for domain-wall motion and modeling domain growth by contour dynamics the shape and orientation of domains and their field range for existence are well reproduced. These results point to the key role of the vectorial nature of the order parameter in the dynamics of ferromagnetic do…