Vortex configurations and metastability in mesoscopic superconductors

The vortex dynamics in mesoscopic superconducting cylinders with rectangular cross section under an axially applied magnetic field is investigated in the multivortex London regime. The rectangles considered range from a square up to an infinite slab. The flux distribution and total flux carried by a vortex placed in an arbitrary position of the sample is calculated analytically by assuming Clem's solution for the vortex core. The Bean-Livingston energy barrier is also analytically calculated in this framework. A Langevin algorithm simulates the flux penetration and dynamical evolution of the vortices as the external field is slowly cycled. The simulated magnetization process is governed by metastable states. The magnetization curves are hysteretic, with paramagnetic response in part of the downward branch, and present a series of peaks corresponding to the entry or expulsion of a single vortex. For elongated rectangles, the vortices arrange themselves into parallel vortex chains and an additional modulation of the magnetization, corresponding to creation or destruction of a vortex chain, comes out.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures. Presented on the III European Conference on Vortex Matter in Superconductors, Crete, 2003. To appear in Physica

Asymmetrical bloch branes and the hierarchy problem

We investigate a two scalar fields split braneworld model which leads to a possible approach to the hierarchy problem within the thick brane scenario. The model exhibits a resulting asymmetric warp factor suitable for this purpose. The solution is obtained by means of the orbit equation approach for a specific value of one of the parameters. Besides, we analyze the model qualitative behaviour for arbitrary parameters by inspecting the underlying dynamical system defined by the equations which give rise to the braneworld model. We finalize commenting on the metric fluctuation and stability issues.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figure

Vortex rectification effects in films with periodic asymmetric pinning

We study the transport of vortices excited by an ac current in an Al film with an array of nanoengineered asymmetric antidots. The vortex response to the ac current is investigated by detailed measurements of the voltage output as a function of ac current amplitude, magnetic field and temperature. The measurements revealed pronounced voltage rectification effects which are mainly characterized by the two critical depinning forces of the asymmetric potential. The shape of the net dc voltage as a function of the excitation amplitude indicates that our vortex ratchet behaves in a way very different from standard overdamped models. Rather, as demonstrated by the observed output signal, the repinning force, necessary to stop vortex motion, is considerably smaller than the depinning force, resembling the behavior of the so-called inertia ratchets. Calculations based on an underdamped ratchet model provide a very good fit to the experimental data.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure