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Title: Reversible ratchet effects for vortices in conformal pinning arrays

Journal Article · · Physical Review. B, Condensed Matter and Materials Physics
 [1];  [1];  [1]
  1. Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

A conformal transformation of a uniform triangular pinning array produces a structure called a conformal crystal which preserves the sixfold ordering of the original lattice but contains a gradient in the pinning density. Here we use numerical simulations to show that vortices in type-II superconductors driven with an ac drive over gradient pinning arrays produce the most pronounced ratchet effect over a wide range of parameters for a conformal array, while square gradient or random gradient arrays with equivalent pinning densities give reduced ratchet effects. In the conformal array, the larger spacing of the pinning sites in the direction transverse to the ac drive permits easy funneling of interstitial vortices for one driving direction, producing the enhanced ratchet effect. In the square array, the transverse spacing between pinning sites is uniform, giving no asymmetry in the funneling of the vortices as the driving direction switches, while in the random array, there are numerous easy-flow channels present for either direction of drive. We find multiple ratchet reversals in the conformal arrays as a function of vortex density and ac amplitude, and correlate the features with a reversal in the vortex ordering, which is greater for motion in the ratchet direction. In conclusion, the enhanced conformal pinning ratchet effect can also be realized for colloidal particles moving over a conformal array, indicating the general usefulness of conformal structures for controlling the motion of particles.

Research Organization:
Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC52-06NA25396
OSTI ID:
1329592
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1179690
Report Number(s):
LA-UR-15-22325; PRBMDO
Journal Information:
Physical Review. B, Condensed Matter and Materials Physics, Vol. 91, Issue 18; ISSN 1098-0121
Publisher:
American Physical Society (APS)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 30 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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Cited By (5)

Switchable geometric frustration in an artificial-spin-ice–superconductor heterosystem journal June 2018
Self-assembled vortex crystals induced by inhomogeneous magnetic textures journal March 2019
Recent Advances in Superconductivity and Vortex Matter: Selected Topics journal December 2017
Transverse ac Driven and Geometric Ratchet Effects for Vortices in Conformal Crystal Pinning Arrays text January 2015
Chiral Edge Currents for ac Driven Skyrmions in Confined Pinning Geometries text January 2019

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