Fast Dynamics of Vortices in Superconductors

Abstract: The last decade has been marked by great interest in the dynamics of vortices moving at high ($>$10\,km/s) velocities in superconductors. However, the flux-flow instability (FFI) prevents its exploration and sets practical limits for the use of vortices in various applications. Even so, FFI has turned into a valuable tool for studying the quasiparticle energy relaxation in superconductors, with the view of enhancement of the single-photon detection capability of micrometer-wide strips operated at large bias currents. In this context, the failure of global'' FFI models for materials with strong intrinsic and edge vortex pinning has urged the elaboration oflocal'' FFI models. This chapter outlines the recent advances in the research on FFI and highlights superconductors with perfect edges and weak volume pinning as prospective materials for studying fast vortex dynamics and nonequilibrium superconductivity. This manuscript is based on the author-prepared version of the review published in Encyclopedia of Condensed Matter Physics, vol. 2 (2024) 735--754.