Vortex dynamics
The current carrying capacity J
c of type-II superconductors is severely limited by dissipation from the motion of vortices, magnetic flux lines that appear inside these materials upon immersion in sufficiently high magnetic fields. The understanding of vortex pinning mechanisms and their optimization in technologically relevant materials is one of the most intriguing and important aspects of superconductivity nowadays, for both fundamental and application-oriented research. Our group investigates vortex pinning in both static and high frequency conditions thanks to a combination of techniques ranging from electric transport to magneto-optical imaging and microwave analysis. Moreover, ion irradiation is employed as a tool to introduce pinning centers with optimal morphology and controlled distributions.
