Multifractal scaling of flux penetration in the Iron-based Superconductor Ba(Fe0.925Co0.075)2As2

Abstract

The penetration of magnetic flux fronts in the optimally doped iron based superconductor<br />Ba(Fe0:925Co0:075)2As2 is studied by means of magneto-optic imaging and Bitter decoration. The higher-order analysis of roughening and growth of the magnetic flux front reveals anomalous scaling properties, indicative of non-Gaussian correlations of the disorder potential. While higher-order spatial correlation functions reveal multi-fractal behavior for the roughening, the usual Kardar-Parisi- Zhang growth exponent is found. Both exponents are found to be independent of temperature. The scaling behavior is manifestly different from other modes of flux penetration, such as that mediated by avalanches, suggesting that multi-scaling is a powerful tool for the characterization of roughened interfaces. We propose a scenario for vortex penetration based on 2D percolation and cluster aggregation in an inhomogeneously disordered superconductor.