Y X Ning et al 2010 J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 22 065701 doi:10.1088/0953-8984/22/6/065701
Y X Ning1, C L Song1,2, Y L Wang1, Xi Chen2, J F Jia2, Q K Xue1,2 and X C Ma1
Show affiliationsUsing low temperature scanning tunnelling microscopy/spectroscopy (STM/STS) we have investigated the vortex behaviours of two-dimensional superconducting Pb films at different thicknesses. STS at the vortex core shows an evolution of electronic states with film thickness. Transition from the clean limit to the dirty limit of superconductivity is identified, which can be ascribed to the decreased electronic mean free path induced by stronger scattering from the disordered interface at smaller thicknesses. A magnetic field dependent vortex core size is observed even for such a low- κ superconductor. The weak pinning induced by surface defects leads to the formation of a distorted hexagonal vortex lattice.
74.25.Qt Vortex lattices, flux pinning, flux creep
68.37.Ef Scanning tunneling microscopy (including chemistry induced with STM)
Issue 6 (17 February 2010)
Received 18 October 2009, in final form 24 December 2009
Published 21 January 2010
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