High-field magneto-optical imaging of superconducting critical states beyond 10 T using a paramagnetic garnet sensor

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Kinoshita, Yuto, Toyoda, Masayuki, Kobayashi, Yoshiaki, Itoh, Masayuki, Tokunaga, Masashi
Format: Preprint
Published: 2026
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author Kinoshita, Yuto
Toyoda, Masayuki
Kobayashi, Yoshiaki
Itoh, Masayuki
Tokunaga, Masashi
author_facet Kinoshita, Yuto
Toyoda, Masayuki
Kobayashi, Yoshiaki
Itoh, Masayuki
Tokunaga, Masashi
contents Spatially resolved characterization of the critical current density Jc in superconductors under high magnetic fields is crucial for both fundamental understanding and practical applications. However, conventional techniques primarily provide bulk-averaged values, making it difficult to resolve local variations of Jc, especially in high magnetic fields. In this work, we develop a magneto-optical imaging (MOI) technique that enables visualization of superconducting critical states in steady magnetic fields up to 13 T. This is achieved by employing a paramagnetic Nd-garnet indicator combined with a polarizing microscope system. Using this method, we directly image the magnetic flux distribution in a bulk single crystal of an iron-based superconductor Ba(Fe1-xCox)2As2 (x = 0.075) at 12 K and 20 K across the entire sample area (approximately 1 mm). From the measured magnetic field distributions, we quantitatively reconstruct the spatial distribution of the critical current density. The extracted field dependence of Jc is in good agreement with that obtained from conventional magnetization measurements. Furthermore, we demonstrate vector mapping of current flow within the sample by converting the magnetic field distribution into local current-density distributions. Our results establish high-field MOI as a powerful approach for spatially resolved evaluation of superconducting critical states and provide a new pathway for investigating inhomogeneous current transport in superconductors under high magnetic fields.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2604_25274
institution arXiv
publishDate 2026
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle High-field magneto-optical imaging of superconducting critical states beyond 10 T using a paramagnetic garnet sensor
Kinoshita, Yuto
Toyoda, Masayuki
Kobayashi, Yoshiaki
Itoh, Masayuki
Tokunaga, Masashi
Superconductivity
Instrumentation and Detectors
Spatially resolved characterization of the critical current density Jc in superconductors under high magnetic fields is crucial for both fundamental understanding and practical applications. However, conventional techniques primarily provide bulk-averaged values, making it difficult to resolve local variations of Jc, especially in high magnetic fields. In this work, we develop a magneto-optical imaging (MOI) technique that enables visualization of superconducting critical states in steady magnetic fields up to 13 T. This is achieved by employing a paramagnetic Nd-garnet indicator combined with a polarizing microscope system. Using this method, we directly image the magnetic flux distribution in a bulk single crystal of an iron-based superconductor Ba(Fe1-xCox)2As2 (x = 0.075) at 12 K and 20 K across the entire sample area (approximately 1 mm). From the measured magnetic field distributions, we quantitatively reconstruct the spatial distribution of the critical current density. The extracted field dependence of Jc is in good agreement with that obtained from conventional magnetization measurements. Furthermore, we demonstrate vector mapping of current flow within the sample by converting the magnetic field distribution into local current-density distributions. Our results establish high-field MOI as a powerful approach for spatially resolved evaluation of superconducting critical states and provide a new pathway for investigating inhomogeneous current transport in superconductors under high magnetic fields.
title High-field magneto-optical imaging of superconducting critical states beyond 10 T using a paramagnetic garnet sensor
topic Superconductivity
Instrumentation and Detectors
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2604.25274