Weak links within a Bi2Sr2Ca1Cu2Ox single crystal by magnetization and direct optical observations

Abstract We have performed magnetic susceptibility and direct optical High Contrast Magnetic Flux (HICOM) observations on a single crystal of Bi 2 Sr 2 Ca 1 Cu 2 O x . Low temperature pinning and high temperature flux creep have been observed by HICOM. The results suggest that the breakdown of flux pinning may occur gradually with temperature and may exhibit spatial variation related to sample inhomogeneities.