Nonlinear transverse magnetic moment in anisotropic superconductors

Abstract

We consider the nonlinear transverse magnetic moment that arises in the Meissner state of superconductors with strongly anisotropic order parameter. We compute this magnetic moment as a function of applied field and geometry, assuming d-wave pairing, for realistic samples, finite in all three dimensions, of high temperature superconducting materials. Return currents, shape effects and the anisotropy of the penetration depth are all included. We numerically solve the nonlinear Maxwell-London equations for a finite system. The effect, which is a probe of the order parameter symmetry in the bulk of the sample, should be readily measurable if pairing is in a d-wave state. Failure to observe it would set a lower bound to the s-wave component.