Flux dendrites of opposite polarity in superconducting Mg B 2 rings observed with magneto-optical imaging

Magneto-optical imaging was used to observe flux dendrites with opposite polarities simultaneously penetrate superconducting, ring-shaped $\mathrm{Mg}{\mathrm{B}}_{2}$ films. By applying a perpendicular magnetic field, branching dendritic structures nucleate at the outer edge and abruptly propagate deep into the rings. When these structures reach close to the inner edge, where flux with opposite polarity has penetrated the superconductor, they occasionally trigger anti-flux-dendrites. These antidendrites do not branch, but instead trace the triggering dendrite in the backward direction. Two trigger mechanisms, a nonlocal magnetic and a local thermal mechanism, are considered as possible explanations for this unexpected behavior. Increasing the applied field further, the rings are perforated by dendrites which carry flux to the center hole. Repeated perforations lead to a reversed field profile and new features of dendrite activity when the applied field is subsequently reduced.