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Vortex Avalanches and Magnetic Flux Fragmentation in Superconductors

Journal Article · · Physical Review Letters

We report the results of numerical simulations of nonisothermal dendritic flux penetration in type-II superconductors. We propose a generic mechanism of dynamic branching of a propagating hot spot of a flux flow/normal state triggered by a local heat pulse. The branching occurs when the flux hot spot reflects from inhomogeneities or the boundary on which magnetization currents either vanish, or change direction. The hot spot then undergoes a cascade of successive splittings, giving rise to a dissipative dendritic-type flux structure. This dynamic state eventually cools down, turning into a frozen multifilamentary pattern of magnetization currents.

Research Organization:
Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL
Sponsoring Organization:
(US)
DOE Contract Number:
W-31109-ENG-38
OSTI ID:
40277372
Journal Information:
Physical Review Letters, Journal Name: Physical Review Letters Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 87; ISSN 0031-9007
Publisher:
The American Physical Society
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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