Comparison of small-field behavior in MgB2, Low- and high-temperature superconductors

Different types of superconductors have been investigated at small magnetic fields (Ba) over wide temperature (T) ranges at different Ba orientations. It has been shown that the temperature dependence of the characteristic field (B*), separating the Ba-independent critical current density (Jc) plateau (single vortex pinning regime) and the region with Jc(Ba) (collective pinning), can be attributed either to the temperature dependence of the magnetic penetration depth for Nb-film and MgB2 bulk superconductors, or to thermally activated processes for Bi-based superconductors and YBa2Cu3O7−8 superconducting films. In both cases the vortex pinning influence appears to have a secondary role, affecting the effective vortex depinning radius. An exception in such B*(T) behavior is considered for Nb film when the magnetic field has its considerable component applied perpendicular to the main surface of the film.