Abrikosov vortex lattice · type-II superconductor · flux quantization
In type-II superconductors (κ = λ/ξ > 1/√2), magnetic flux penetrates as quantized vortices carrying exactly one flux quantum Φ₀ = h/2e ≈ 2.07×10⁻¹⁵ Wb. Abrikosov (1957) showed these vortices arrange into a triangular lattice — a direct consequence of minimizing the Ginzburg-Landau free energy. Each vortex core has suppressed superconducting order parameter |ψ|, surrounded by circulating supercurrents that screen the field over the London penetration depth λ. Increasing the applied field adds more vortices until Hc2, where cores overlap and superconductivity is destroyed.