9705353 Zieve This experimental planning grant involves research related to the motion of vortices in Type II superconductors. The PI will exploit recent advances in nanofabrication technology to study the motion of vortices in periodic pinning potentials (arrays of holes) whose characteristic dimensions (hole spacing and hole diameters) can extend to ranges previously inaccessible. One of the objectives is to reach conditions where quantum tunneling of vortices is appreciable. Thus, the plan is to perform quantitative study of both quantum and classical tunneling rates of vortices, and their dependence on details of the vortex pinning potential. %%% This grant supports planning for a study of the motion of magnetic flux (vortex lines) in a thin film of superconductor. This topic is important in connection with the current carrying capacity of superconductors of Type II, which allow a zero resistance state to persist (allowing loss free transmission of electrical energy) even in the presence of a magnetic field. High temperature cuprate superconductors are of this class, and the research being planned under this grant may contribute to the development of an improved technology for the electrical power transmission, and also for improved electrical motors and generators. ***
