Dynamic vortex Mott transition in a proximity array of superconducting islands

Speaker
Valerii Vinokur Argonne National Laboratory
Date
18/09/2014 - 16:30 - 15:30Add to Calendar 2014-09-18 15:30:00 2014-09-18 16:30:00 Dynamic vortex Mott transition in a proximity array of superconducting islands We investigate magnetoresistance of a square array of superconducting islands placed on a normal metal, which offers a unique tunable laboratory for realizing and exploring quantum many-body systems and their dynamics. A vortex Mott insulator where magnetic field-induced vortices are frozen in the dimples of the egg crate potential by their strong repulsion interaction is discovered.  We find an insulator-to-metal transition driven by the applied electric current and determine critical exponents that exhibit striking similarity with the common thermodynamic liquid-gas transition. A simple and straightforward quantum mechanical picture is proposed that describes both tunneling dynamics in the deep insulating state and the observed scaling behavior in the vicinity of the critical point. Our findings offer a comprehensive description of dynamic Mott critical behavior and establish a deep connection between equilibrium and nonequilibrium phase transition. 210 Resnick (Bld 209), seminar room Department of Physics physics.dept@mail.biu.ac.il Asia/Jerusalem public
Place
210 Resnick (Bld 209), seminar room
Abstract

We investigate magnetoresistance of a square array of superconducting islands placed on a normal metal, which offers a unique tunable laboratory for realizing and exploring quantum many-body systems and their dynamics. A vortex Mott insulator where magnetic field-induced vortices are frozen in the dimples of the egg crate potential by their strong repulsion interaction is discovered.  We find an insulator-to-metal transition driven by the applied electric current and determine critical exponents that exhibit striking similarity with the common thermodynamic liquid-gas transition. A simple and straightforward quantum mechanical picture is proposed that describes both tunneling dynamics in the deep insulating state and the observed scaling behavior in the vicinity of the critical point. Our findings offer a comprehensive description of dynamic Mott critical behavior and establish a deep connection between equilibrium and nonequilibrium phase transition.

Last Updated Date : 05/12/2022