Dynamic transition from Mott-like to metal-like state of the vortex lattice in a superconducting film with a periodic array of holes

We show that under an ac magnetic field excitation the vortex lattice in a superconductor with a periodic array of holes can undergo a transition from a Mott-like state where each vortex is localized in a hole, to a metal-like state where the vortices get delocalized. The vortex dynamics is studied through the magnetic shielding response which is measured using a low-frequency two-coil mutual inductance technique on a disordered superconducting NbN film having a periodic array of holes. We observe that the shielding response of the vortex state is strongly dependent on the amplitude of the ac magnetic excitation. At low amplitude the shielding response varies smoothly with the excitation amplitude, corresponding to the elastic deformation of the vortex lattice. However, above a threshold value of excitation the response shows a series of sharp jumps, signaling the onset of the Mott-to-metal transition. A quantitative analysis reveals that this is a collective phenomenon which depends on the filling fraction of vortices in the antidot lattice.