Vortex ratchet reversal at fractional matching fields in kagomélike array with symmetric pinning centers

Abstract

Arrays of Ni nanodots embedded in Nb superconducting films have been fabricated by sputtering and electron-beam lithography techniques. The arrays are periodic triangular lattices of circular Ni dots arranged in a kagom\'elike pattern with broken reflection symmetry. Relevant behaviors are found in the vortex lattice dynamics: (i) at values lower than the first integer matching field, several fractional matching fields are present when the vortex lattice moves parallel or perpendicular to the reflection symmetry axis of the array showing a clear anisotropic character in the magnetoresistance curves, (ii) injecting an ac perpendicular to the reflection symmetry axis of the array yields an unidirectional motion of the vortex lattice (ratchet effect) as a result of the interaction between the whole vortex lattice and the asymmetric lattice of dots, (iii) increasing the input current amplitudes the ratchet effect changes polarity independently of matching field values. These experimental results can be explained taking into account the vortex lattice density.