Physics of vortex motion by means of microwave surface impedance measurements (Review article)

In this paper we present a short overview on the results that can be obtained through the study of vortex motion at high frequencies. The phenomenological force balance for isolated-like vortices shaken by microwave currents and subjected to viscous drag, pinning forces and thermal creep is recalled and physically presented. The derived vortex motion resistivity, together with the main vortex parameters (viscosity eta and flux flow resistivity rho(ff), pinning constant k(p), creep factor chi), is then commented. Sample measurements are reported to illustrate the main aspects of the involved physical models.