Flux penetration, matching effect, and hysteresis in homogeneous superconducting films - art. no. 134526

The vortex dynamics in homogeneous superconducting films of arbitrary thick ness under parallel magnetic field is studied. The strong surface effects i n these systems are correctly taken into account by expressing the energy o f the in-plane vortices in London background. A Langevin algorithm simulate s the flux penetration and dynamical evolution of the vortices as the exter nal field is slowly cycled. The numerical results show that the vortex latt ice consists of linear chains of vortices parallel to the film surfaces and undergoes transitions involving formation or destruction of one chain, eve n for films with thickness greater than the penetration depth. In addition, the magnetization curve is irreversible and presents some similarities wit h Clem's model for surface pinning.