Abrikosov vortex

An Abrikosov vortex is a quantized tube of magnetic flux surrounded by circulating supercurrents in a type-II superconductor. In a magnetic field, such vortices form an ordered or disordered array while superconductivity persists between them.

Magnetic flux quantum: The fundamental flux unit in a superconductor, equal to h divided by twice the elementary charge. Each vortex carries one such quantum of magnetic flux.
Alexei Abrikosov: A Soviet and Russian theoretical physicist who developed the theory of magnetic vortices in type-II superconductors. His 1957 work predicted the vortex state and its lattice.
Superconductivity: A state of matter with zero electrical resistance and distinctive magnetic behavior below a transition temperature. Vortices are structures within the superconducting state.
Vortex pinning: The immobilization of magnetic vortices by defects or engineered structures in a superconductor. Pinning prevents vortices from moving and dissipating energy under current.
Quantum vortex: A topological defect in a quantum fluid around which the phase winds and circulation is quantized. An Abrikosov vortex is the superconducting, magnetic-flux-bearing member of this broader family.
Coherence length: A characteristic distance over which a superconducting order parameter changes appreciably. It sets the approximate radius of a vortex’s nonsuperconducting core.
Type-II superconductivity: A superconducting regime in which magnetic flux enters in vortices between two critical fields. Abrikosov vortices are the characteristic carriers of flux in this regime.
Superconducting order parameter: A complex field representing the local amplitude and phase of superconducting order. Its phase winds around a vortex while its amplitude falls in the core.
Flux creep: The gradual thermally activated motion of magnetic vortices between pinning sites. It can cause slow changes in current and magnetic state despite pinning.
Vortex lattice melting: The loss of crystalline order in a vortex lattice as thermal fluctuations increase. It describes a phase transition among interacting Abrikosov vortices.

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