Minimum-energy vortex configurations in anisotropic superconductors

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
In a type-II superconductor, the optimal vortex configuration is the one that minimizes the free energy for a given value of B, the spatial average of the magnetic field. Using anisotropic London theory, we compare the free energy of two very different configurations: (I) a lattice of vortex lines parallel to B and (II) a combination of a lattice of lines parallel to c^ and a lattice of lines parallel to a^, producing the same B as in (I). For large enough anisotropy, configuration (II) can have the lower free energy, for a wide range of B.