We have studied arrays with infinite magnetic penetration depth as well as inductive arrays. In experiments vortex dynamics is usually inferred from macroscopic observable quantities. Hence our computational results allow us to contribute to both the theoretical and experimental understanding of JJA vortex dynamics. For the latter it is essential that our algorithms can be implemented for a wide range of experimentally relevant conditions. The phases of the superconducting islands are the only variables describing the physics of JJA in the classical limit.
Vortices are excitations in the array.
A vortex is present in a plaquette when the phases rotate over 360 degrees when traversing a closed contour around the plaquette. We have depicted the phase-configuration corresponding to a vortex. A vortex more physically corresponds to an eddy-current pattern. In that sense it is similar to for example tornado's. In the picture below we show an eddy-current pattern corresponding to a vortex.