Measurement of critical current flow and connectivity in systems of joined square superconducting plates
Publication Name
Physica C: Superconductivity and its Applications
Abstract
A method to measure the electrical connectivity between square superconducting plates joined by weak link interfaces is presented. It is based on observation of lines where the flow of critical current abruptly changes direction due to the presence of weak links, and the confinement created by the shape of the sample. The method is demonstrated using magneto-optical imaging (MOI) of systems consisting of up to 2×2 plates joined to form a larger square. The samples used in this study are Nb films with weak links created by focused ion beam machining. Common features are found in the current flow patterns, which allow to measure the electrical connectivity between the plates by observing an angle between pairs of lines indicating where the current abruptly changes flow direction, so-called discontinuity, or d-lines.
Open Access Status
This publication may be available as open access
Volume
589
Article Number
1353931
Funding Number
2017/24.786-4
Funding Sponsor
Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo