Classical analogy for the deflection of flux avalanches by a metallic layer

Motivated by the experimental observation of the exclusion of magnetic flux avalanches in a superconducting sample partially covered by a conducting capping layer, we have
investigated the simpli fied case of the interaction of a magnetic charge (monopole and dipole) with a semi-in finite conducting plane. We have found that early theoretical descriptions for the damping enhancement due to the metallic sheet needed a correction at large vortex velocities where a decrease of the damping coe fficient is expected. We also demonstrate that vortex trajectories are strongly modi fied when penetrating into the area covered by the metallic sheet and may even be fully diverted from that area thus providing a qualitative explanation for the bending of the trajectories of flux avalanches. Our fi ndings may be extended to study the damping of Larkin-Ovchinnikov vortex instabilities and phase-slip lines in current driven systems.