We show that in presence of an applied external field the two-component order parameter superconductor falls in two categories of ground states, namely, in the traditional Abrikosov ground state or in a new ground state fitted to describe a supercond
ucting layer with texture, that is, patched regions separated by a phase difference of $pi$. The existence of these two kinds of ground states follows from the sole assumption that the total supercurrent is the sum of the two individual supercurrents and is independent of any consideration about the free energy expansion. Uniquely defined relations between the current density and the superfluid density hold for these two ground states, which also determine the magnetization in terms of average values of the order parameters. Because these ground state conditions are also Bogomolny equations we construct the free energy for the two-component superconductor which admits the Bogomolny solution at a special coupling value.
A superconducting rod with a magnetic moment on top develops vortices obtained here through 3D calculations of the Ginzburg-Landau theory. The inhomogeneity of the applied field brings new properties to the vortex patterns that vary according to the
rod thickness. We find that for thin rods (disks) the vortex patterns are similar to those obtained in presence of a homogeneous magnetic field instead because they consist of giant vortex states. For thick rods novel patterns are obtained as vortices are curve lines in space that exit through the lateral surface.
Symmetry-induced vortex-antivortex configurations in superconducting squares and triangles were predicted earlier; yet, they have not been resolved in experiment up to date. Namely, with vortex-antivortex states being highly unstable with respect to
defects and temperature fluctuations, it is very unlikely that samples can be fabricated with the needed quality. Here we show how these drawbacks can be overcome by strategically placed nanoholes in the sample. As a result, (i) the actual shape of the sample becomes far less important, (ii) the stability of the vortex-antivortex configurations in general is substantially enhanced, and (iii) states comprising novel giant-antivortices (with higher winding numbers) become energetically favorable in perforated disks. In the analysis, we stress the potent of strong screening to destabilize the vortex-antivortex states. In turn, the screening-symmetry competition favors stabilization of new asymmetric ground states, which arise for small values of the effective Ginzburg-Landau parameter kappa.
In submicron superconducting squares in a homogeneous magnetic field, Ginzburg-Landau theory may admit solutions of the vortex-antivortex type, conforming with the symmetry of the sample [Chibotaru et al., Nature 408, 833 (2000)]. Here we show that t
hese fascinating, but never experimentally observed states, can be enforced by artificial fourfold pinning, with their diagnostic features enhanced by orders of magnitude. The second-order nucleation of vortex-antivortex molecules can be driven either by temperature or applied magnetic field, with stable asymmetric vortex-antivortex equilibria found on its path.
In a numerical experiment based on Gross-Pitaevskii formalism, we demonstrate unique topological quantum coherence in optically trapped Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs). Exploring the fact that vortices in rotating BEC can be pinned by a geometric ar
rangement of laser beams, we show the parameter range in which vortex-antivortex molecules or multiquantum vortices are formed as a consequence of the optically imposed symmetry. Being low-energy states, we discuss the conditions for spontaneous nucleation of these unique molecules and their direct experimental observation, and provoke the potential use of the phase print of an antivortex or a multiquantum vortex when realized in unconventional circumstances.
The vortex state of mesoscopic three-dimensional superconductors is determined using a minimization procedure of the Ginzburg-Landau free energy. We obtain the vortex pattern for a mesoscopic superconducting sphere and find that vortex lines are natu
rally bent and are closest to each other at the equatorial plane. For a superconducting disk with finite height, and under an applied magnetic field perpendicular to its major surface, we find that our method gives results consistent with previous calculations. The matching fields, the magnetization and $H_{c3}$, are obtained for models that differ according to their boundary properties. A change of the Ginzburg-Landau parameters near the surface can substantially enhance $H_{c3}$ as shown here.
We show that asymmetrical mesoscopic superconductors bring new insight into vortex physics where we found the remarkable coexistence of long and short vortices. We study an asymmetrical mesoscopic sphere, that lacks one of its quadrants, and obtain i
ts three-dimensional vortex patterns by solving the Ginzburg-Landau theory. We find that the vortex patterns are asymmetric whose effects are clearly visible and detectable in the transverse magnetization and torque.
Motivated by the recent realization of graphene sensors to detect individual gas molecules, we investigate the adsorption of H2O, NH3, CO, NO2, and NO on a graphene substrate using first-principles calculations. The optimal adsorption position and or
ientation of these molecules on the graphene surface is determined and the adsorption energies are calculated. Molecular doping, i.e. charge transfer between the molecules and the graphene surface, is discussed in light of the density of states and the molecular orbitals of the adsorbates. The efficiency of doping of the different molecules is determined and the influence of their magnetic moment is discussed.
