The Motion of Abrikosov vortices in a type II superconductor

Abstract

Abstract In this note we report some preliminary experimental results that are concerned with the way in which flux can move in a superconductor of the second type when the magnetization curve is reversible (an ‘ideal’ specimen). We shall accept the view, for which there is now much experimental evidence (see, e.g. Bon Mardion et al. 1962, Kinsel et al. 1962), that the penetration of flux into a type II superconductor takes place through the presence of quantized ‘Abrikosov vortices’ in the superconducting electron fluid (Abrikosov 1957). We shall also make the reasonable assumption that in an ideal type II superconductor an isolated vortex is free to move except for a frictional drag acting on its core, the magnitude of this drag being given by (per unit length of core):