Current induced decomposition of Abrikosov vortices in p-n layered superconductors and heterostructures Alexander L. Rakhmanov Sergey Saveliev Feodor Kusmartsev 2134/12724 https://repository.lboro.ac.uk/articles/journal_contribution/Current_induced_decomposition_of_Abrikosov_vortices_in_p-n_layered_superconductors_and_heterostructures/9408011 We describe the decomposition of Abrikosov vortices into decoupled pancake vortices in superconductors having both electron and hole charge carriers. We estimate the critical current of such a decomposition, at which a superconducting-normal state transition occurs, and find that it is very sensitive to the magnetic field and temperature. The effect can be observed in recently synthesized self-doped high-Tc layered superconductors with electrons and holes coexisting in different Cu-O planes and in artificial p-n superconductor heterostructures. The sensitivity of the critical current to a magnetic field may be used for sensors and detectors of a magnetic field, which can be built up from the superconductor heterostructures. 2013-07-10 12:42:34 untagged Physical Sciences not elsewhere classified