Experimental and theoretical studies of d-dot

We propose the idea of d-dot, where a d-wave superconducting dot is embedded in s-wave matrix. Spontaneous half vortices should appear in the four corners of the d-dot [M. Kato, M. Ako, M. Machida, T. Koyama, T. Ishida, Physica C 412-414 (2004) 352; M. Ako, M. Kato, M. Machida, T. Koyama, T. Ishida, Physica C 412-414 (2004) 544; M. Fujii, T. Abe, H. Yoshikawa, S. Miki, S. Kawamata, K. Satoh, T. Yotsuya, M. Kato, M. Machida, T. Koyama, T. Terashima, S. Tsukui, M. Adachi, T. Ishida, Physica C 426-431 (2005) 104]. Symmetric geometry and the fourfold symmetry of the d-dot would be suitable as a building block for constructing the novel physical systems. The phase dynamics of a closed 0-π junction, which can be realized in a small d_x2 ^{- y}2-dot, is mapped on a quantum two-level system when the system size is small enough. Using two-component Ginzburg-Landau equation, we study the physical properties of d-dots systematically. We prepare epitaxial YBa₂Cu₃O₇ (YBCO) films of thickness 100 nm on SrTiO₃ substrates using a laser ablation apparatus. The d-dot is fabricated by a photolithography, electron beam lithography EB and an electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) etching, a focused ion beam microscope, and a lift-off technique. Local vortex profile is investigated using a SQUID microscope when d-dot is cooled in zero field.