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We use a model of vortex dynamics and collective weak pinning theory to study the residual dissipation due to trapped magnetic flux in a dirty superconductor. Using simple estimates, approximate analytical calculations, and numerical simulations, we make predictions and comparisons with experiments performed in CERN and Cornell on resonant superconducting radio-frequency NbCu, doped-Nb and Nb$_3$Sn cavities. We invoke hysteretic losses originating in a rugged pinning potential landscape to explain the linear behavior of the sensitivity of the residual resistance to trapped magnetic flux as a function of the amplitude of the radio-frequency field. Our calculations also predict and describe the crossover from hysteretic-dominated to viscous-dominated regimes of dissipation. We propose simple formulas describing power losses and crossover behavior, which can be used to guide the tuning of material parameters to optimize cavity performance.
The magnetic moment in the superconducting and normal state of a crystalline FeTe0.65Se0.35 superconductor, grown by the Bridgmans method with relatively high growth rate, was measured. The temperature and magnetic field dependences of magnetization and its relaxation time were determined. Studied crystal, being non-uniform due to high growth rate of 5 mm/h, exhibits smaller width of superconducting transition in comparison with an ideal crystal grown with velocity of 1 mm/h, and the difference in magnetic properties of crystals grown with various growth rate, related to their microstructure, is discussed.
In this paper, we describe the vortex dynamics under high-amplitude microwave drive and its effect on the surface resistance of superconductors. The vortex surface resistance is calculated with a Montecarlo approach, where the vortex motion equation is solved for a collection of vortex flux lines each oscillating within a random pinning landscape. This approach is capable of providing a detailed description of the microscopic vortex dynamics and in turn important insights into the microwave field amplitude dependence of the vortex surface resistance. The numerical simulations are compared against experimental data of vortex surface resistance at high microwave amplitude measured by means of bulk niobium superconducting-radio frequency cavities operating at 1.3 GHz. The good qualitative agreement of simulations and experiments suggests that the non-linear dependence of the trapped flux surface resistance with the microwave field amplitude is generated by progressive microwave depinning and vortex jumps.
We study mechanisms of vortex nucleation in Nb$_3$Sn Superconducting RF (SRF) cavities using a combination of experimental, theoretical, and computational methods. Scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) image and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) of some Nb$_3$Sn cavities show Sn segregation at grain boundaries in Nb$_3$Sn with Sn concentration as high as $sim$35 at.% and widths $sim$3 nm in chemical composition. Using ab initio calculations, we estimate the effect excess tin has on the local superconducting properties of the material. We model Sn segregation as a lowering of the local critical temperature. We then use time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau theory to understand the role of segregation on magnetic vortex nucleation. Our simulations indicate that the grain boundaries act as both nucleation sites for vortex penetration and pinning sites for vortices after nucleation. Depending on the magnitude of the applied field, vortices may remain pinned in the grain boundary or penetrate the grain itself. We estimate the superconducting losses due to vortices filling grain boundaries and compare with observed performance degradation with higher magnetic fields. We estimate that the quality factor may decrease by an order of magnitude ($10^{10}$ to $10^9$) at typical operating fields if 0.03% of the grain boundaries actively nucleate vortices. We additionally estimate the volume that would need to be filled with vortices to match experimental observations of cavity heating.
A major issue for the implementation of large scale superconducting quantum circuits is the interaction with interfacial two-level system defects (TLS) that leads to qubit relaxation and impedes qubit operation in certain frequency ranges that also drift in time. Another major challenge comes from non-equilibrium quasiparticles (QPs) that result in qubit dephasing and relaxation. In this work we show that such QPs can also serve as a source of TLS. Using spectral and temporal mapping of TLS-induced fluctuations in frequency tunable resonators, we identify a subset of the general TLS population that are highly coherent TLS with a low reconfiguration temperature $sim$ 300 mK, and a non-uniform density of states. These properties can be understood if these TLS are formed by QPs trapped in shallow subgap states formed by spatial fluctutations of the superconducting order parameter $Delta$. Magnetic field measurements of one such TLS reveals a link to superconductivity. Our results imply that trapped QPs can induce qubit relaxation.
We probe the short-range pinning properties with the application of microwave currents at very high driving frequencies (47.7 GHz) on YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7-delta}$ films with and without sub-micrometer BaZrO$_3$ inclusions. We explore the temperature and field ranges 60 K$<T<T_c$ and 0$<mu_0H<$0.8 T, with the field applied along the c-axis. The magnetic field induces a much smaller increase of the microwave resistivity, $Delta rho_1(H)+mathrm{i}Delta rho_2(H)$, in YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7-delta}$/BaZrO$_3$ with respect to pure YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7-delta}$. $Delta rho_1(H)$ is slightly superlinear in pure YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7-delta}$ (suggesting a possible contribution of thermal activation), but linear or sublinear in YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7-delta}$/BaZrO$_3$ (suggesting a possible suppression of thermal activation as a consequence of BaZrO$_3$ inclusions). These features persist up to close to $T_c$. We discuss our data in terms of the ratio $r=Delta X_s(H)/Delta R_s(H)$ in the framework of the models for the microwave surface impedance in the mixed state. Large $r$ are found in YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7-delta}$/BaZrO$_3$, with little field dependence. By contrast, smaller values and stronger field dependences are found in pure YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7-delta}$. We discuss the different field dependence of the pinning constant.