On the possibility of observing fluxons by transmission electron microscopy

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Abstract
Contrast produced by quantized magnetic flux lines when observed by means of out-of-focus techniques in a transmission electron microscope is calculated for a superconductor satisfying the London equation. The following parameters and geometries have been taken into account : specimen thickness, position of the fluxon inside the specimen, number and distribution of fluxons, defocus distance, accelerating voltage and superconducting penetration depth. It is shown that the contrast is easily observable for a proper choice of the above parameters. However, the effect of inelastic scattering and the requirement of beam coherence may demand the use of special techniques in order to detect the contrast.