Revisiting the vortex-core tunnelling spectroscopy in YBa2_2Cu3_3O7−δ_{7-\delta}

The observation by scanning tunnelling spectroscopy (STS) of Abrikosov vortex cores in the high-temperature superconductor YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7-\delta}$ (Y123) has revealed a robust pair of electron-hole symmetric states at finite subgap energy. Their interpretation remains an open question because theory predicts a different signature in the vortex cores, characterised by a strong zero-bias conductance peak. We present STS data on very homogeneous Y123 at 0.4 K revealing that the subgap features do not belong to vortices: they are actually observed everywhere along the surface with high spatial and energy reproducibility, even in the absence of magnetic field. Detailed analysis and modelling show that these states remain unpaired in the superconducting phase and belong to an incoherent channel which contributes to the tunnelling signal in parallel with the superconducting density of states.Comment: Final version with supplementary materia

Vortex-core spectroscopy of dd-wave cuprate high-temperature superconductors

The mechanism of high-temperature superconductivity remains one of the great challenges of contemporary physics. Here, we review efforts to image the vortex lattice in copper oxide-based high-temperature superconductors and to measure the characteristic electronic structure of the vortex core of a $d$-wave superconductor using scanning tunneling spectroscopy.Comment: Main text : 7 pages, 8 figure

Open midplane designs based on sector coils in superconducting dipole magnets

For some cases of lattice layout in particle accelerators, the major part of the energy deposition coming from the collision is located in the midplane of the magnets. The heat produced might result in a quench in superconducting magnets. One solution for reducing the energy deposition in the coil is to introduce an opening in the midplane, which will lead away most of the particles to a safe zone instead of hitting the superconductors in the magnets. The aim of this work is to optimize the field quality in dipoles based on the cosθ-design, where an opening in the midplane has been inserted. The equations for finding the solutions for the coil layout for different sizes of the opening are studied, and the solution giving the best field quality for each case is presented. Then, optimization procedures are applied to lay-outs with Rutherford cables. Finally, the resulting field strength from the solutions obtained is presented