VORTEX ARRAYS IN THE BSCCO(2212) SINGLE-CRYSTALS IN THE VICINITY OF STEPS ON THE SAMPLE SURFACE

With using the decoration technique the vortex distribution near steps on the surface of BSCCO (2212) single crystals has been investigated. The vortex structure visualization was carried out by optical and sca nning electronic microscopy (SEM) as well as by atomic force microscop y (AFM). The Meissner rim was revealed on the top side of the steps wh ich height h was more than 0.1 a(0)-vortex lattice parameter. The widt h of the band is proportional to the height of the step h and does not depend on the magnetic field. The vortex lattice behavior in the vici nity of the sample steps is discussed. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.