Revealing the microscopic mechanism of elementary vortex pinning in superconductors

Vortex pinning is a crucial factor that determines the critical current of practical superconductors and enables their diverse applications. However, the underlying mechanism of vortex pinning has long been elusive, lacking a clear microscopic explanation. Here, using high-resolution scanning tunneling microscopy, we studied single vortex pinning induced by a point defect in layered FeSe-based superconductors. We found the defect-vortex interaction drives low-energy vortex bound states away from EF, creating a “mini” gap that effectively lowers the system energy and enhances pinning. By measuring the local density of states, we directly obtained the elementary pinning energy and estimated the pinning force via the spatial gradient of pinning energy. The results are consistent with bulk critical current measurement. Furthermore, we show that a general microscopic quantum model incorporating defect-vortex interaction can naturally capture our observation. It suggests that the local pairin..., The STM data was collected by the Nanonis and RHK STM controller software, and the transport data was collected by Quantum Design PPMS DynaCool system., , # Revealing the microscopic mechanism of vortex Pinning in superconductors [https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.1g1jwsv49](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.1g1jwsv49) This dataset contains the raw data of this research, including the STM data and transport data presented in all the figures. ## Description of the data and file structure The STM data are included in three types of files: SM4, 3ds, and sxm. The SM4 files are generated by RHK R9 STM software and can be opened and proceeded by this software. However, RHK company does not provide a free version of this software now. Alternatively, the SM4 files can also be opened by Gwyddion, which is a free software and is now provided (to install, run “Gwyddion-2.65.win64.exe”). The 3ds and sxm files are generated by Nanonis STM software. This software has a free version which is provided (to install, run “NanonisSTMSimulatorInstallerV5R6975.exe”). After installation, the 3ds file can be open by the “Binary File Inspector” module, and sxm file...,涡旋钉扎（Vortex pinning）是决定实用超导体临界电流、支撑其多样化应用的关键因素。然而，涡旋钉扎的内在机制长期以来难以捉摸，缺乏清晰的微观解释。本研究借助高分辨率扫描隧道显微镜（scanning tunneling microscopy, STM），对层状FeSe基超导体中点缺陷诱导的单涡旋钉扎展开研究。我们发现，缺陷-涡旋相互作用会使低能涡旋束缚态偏离费米能级（EF），形成“微型”能隙，有效降低系统能量并增强钉扎效应。通过对局域态密度（local density of states, LDOS）的测量，我们直接获取了基本钉扎能，并通过钉扎能的空间梯度估算了钉扎力。实验结果与块体临界电流测量结果一致。此外，我们证明，引入缺陷-涡旋相互作用的通用微观量子模型可自然复现我们的观测结果，这表明局部配对……（原文截断）。STM数据由Nanonis与RHK STM控制器软件采集，输运数据由Quantum Design PPMS DynaCool系统采集。 # 揭示超导体中涡旋钉扎的微观机制 [https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.1g1jwsv49](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.1g1jwsv49) 本数据集包含本研究的原始数据，涵盖所有图表中呈现的扫描隧道显微镜（STM）数据与输运数据。 ## 数据与文件结构说明 STM数据包含三种文件格式：SM4、3ds与sxm。 SM4文件由RHK R9 STM软件生成，可通过该软件打开并处理，但目前RHK公司未提供该软件的免费版本。此外，SM4文件也可通过Gwyddion（一款免费软件，安装程序为"Gwyddion-2.65.win64.exe"）打开。 3ds与sxm文件由Nanonis STM软件生成，该软件提供免费版本（安装程序为"NanonisSTMSimulatorInstallerV5R6975.exe"）。安装完成后，可通过"Binary File Inspector"模块打开3ds文件，sxm文件……（原文截断）。