Imaging and controlling vortex dynamics in mesoscopic superconductor–normal-metal–superconductor arrays

The ability to locally probe and control superconducting vortices is crucial for both fundamental science and technological applications. Here, the authors use a modality of magnetic force microscopy to investigate the dynamics of small groups of vortices trapped by the magnetic field of a cantilever in superconductor--normal-metal--superconductor arrays. The observed striking patterns of vortex transitions enable the authors to extract the energy scales of the vortex interactions and also to study the effects of trapping potential shape and DC currents.