Dendritic flux avalanches in superconducting Nb3Sn films

The penetration of magnetic flux into a thin superconducting film of Nb3Sn with critical temperature 17.8 K and critical current density 6 MA/cm(2) was visualized using magneto-optical imaging. Below 8 K an avalanche-like flux penetration in form of big and branching dendritic structures was observed in response to increasing perpendicular applied field. When a growing dendritic branch meets a linear defect in the film, several scenarios were observed: the branch can turn and propagate along the defect, continue propagation right through it, or "tunnel" along a flux-filled defect and continue growth from its other end. The avalanches manifest themselves in numerous small and random jumps found in the magnetization curve. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.