Magnetic force signal of vortex creation in type-II superconducting thin films

The possibility of the formation of a vortex in thin film due to the field of magnetic dipole moment when a point dipole is vertically approaching the surface of a thin film is discussed. Calculations are performed for certain discrete values of the critical position of the point dipole for creating the vortex in the thin film and the equilibrium positions of the vortex, both of which depend on the strength of magnetic dipole moment. The creation of a new single vortex in the thin film causes an abrupt change in the vertical force. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.