Experimental evidence for vortex equilibration by an in-plane dc field in Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8

Results demonstrating controlled suppression of magnetization hysteresis in Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8 are presented. We show this suppression at a temperature of 82 K and normal magnetic fields up to 20 Oe by applying a dc in-plane field up to 20 Oe. This work shows that in the mentioned region of phase diagram a dc in-plane field overcomes the geometrical barrier. In the presence of an in-plane field, we find vortex chains, formed by Josephson vortices, which extend all the way to the sample edges. We propose that these chains can act as equilibrating channels. This provides insight into the physics underlying the shaking method Avraham et al. (2001). Goldberg et al. (2009) [1,2], which is used extensively to equilibrate vortex matter. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.