Current reversal in collective ratchets induced by lattice instability
arXiv:0712.0308 · doi:10.1103/PhysRevB.76.212507
Abstract
A collective mechanism for current reversal in superconducting vortex ratchets is proposed. The mechanism is based on a two-dimensional instability of the ground state (T=0) of the system. We illustrate our results with numerical simulations and experiments in Nb superconducting films fabricated on top of Si substrates with artificially induced asymmetric pinning centers.
5 pages, 4 figures. Accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. B