Flux pinning evolution in multilayer Pb/Ge/Pb/Ge/Pb superconducting systems

Multicomponent superconductors exhibit nontrivial vortex behaviors due to the various vortex–vortex interactions, including the competing one in the recently proposed type-1.5 superconductor. However, potential candidate that can be used to study the multicomponent superconductivity is rare. Here, we prepared an artificial superconducting multilayer to act as an alternative approach to study multicomponent superconductivity. The additional repulsive length and the coupling strength among superconducting films were regulated by changing the thickness of the insulting layer. The magnetization measurements were performed to clarify the effect of the competition between the repulsive vortex interactions on the macroscopic superconductivity. The vortex phase diagram and the optimum critical current density have been determined. Furthermore, a second magnetization effect is observed, and is attributed to the upper layer, which provides the weak pinning sites to localize the flux lines. The pinning behaviors switches to the mixed type with the increase of the insulting layer thicknesses. Our results open a new perspective to the study and related applications of the multilayer superconducting systems.