Magneto-optic image of a superconducting MgB₂ film in a magnetic field at 10 K. Flux penetrates the superconductor in the form of dendritic avalanches. Surprisingly, at this temperature the flux penetration is only in the direction of strongest flux pinning.

From the article:

Dramatic Role of Critical Current Anisotropy on Flux Avalanches in ${\mathrm{MgB}}_2$ Films
J. Albrecht, A. T. Matveev, J. Strempfer, H.-U. Habermeier, D. V. Shantsev, Y. M. Galperin, and T. H. Johansen
Phys. Rev. Lett. 98, 117001 (2007)

View Issue Table of Contents