Vortex-induced voltage instabilities in a superconducting BSCCO thin film

Flux-induced voltage switching events assuming the form of Random Telegraph Signals have been investigated in a current biased Bi2Sr2Ca1Cu2O8+x (BSCCO ) thin film, at weak magnetic fields(<10G) and at temperatures ranging belo w 7K. The observed phenomena cannot be framed within traditional theoretica l models. Rather, they strongly indicate two distinct vortex dynamical stat es at the basis of the switching events. A novel interpretation is proposed , relying on the random decay of a nux-creep process in the superconductor.