Inhomogeneous current distribution in wide high-temperature superconducting small-angle grain boundaries

Using space resolved magneto-optical microscopy we have studied the development of the critical state in high temperature superconducting small-angle grain boundaries in magnetisation experiments. It has been found that with respect to the position in the grain boundary plane thiS critical State develops in a highly inhomogeneous manner. Towards the centre of the grain boundary there exists a distinct suppression of the inter-granular currents flowing across the grain boundary. A strong correlation between the static (critical current) and the dynamical properties (e.g. electric field or flux-line velocity) of the vortex system inside the grain boundary appears to be the principal mechanism for the observed inhomogeneous current distribution in wide bi-crystalline current bridges.