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EPL Association, European Physical Society Letters, 4(61), p. 473-479

DOI: 10.1209/epl/i2003-00153-2

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Structural similarity between the magnetic-flux profile in superconductors and the surface of a 2d rice pile

Journal article published in 2003 by M. S. Welling, C. M. Aegerter ORCID, R. J. Wijngaarden
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This paper is available in a repository.

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Abstract

We analyze the magnetic-flux profile in the critical state of an YBa2Cu3O 7 − x thin film. It is found that the profile forms a self-affine structure in both space and time. Furthermore, the surface of a pile of rice is studied, which also shows a self-affine structure. These experimental results are compared to simulations of a two-dimensional version of the Oslo model for sandpiles. The exponents characterizing the roughness and dynamics of the profiles for both experimental systems agree with each other, the values being α = 0.39(3) for the roughness exponents and β = 0.50(3) for the growth exponents. These values are reproduced in the simulations as well. This shows that a simple sandpile model can be used to describe the shape and dynamics of the vortex landscape in the critical state. Conversely, superconductors may be used as a model granular system.