We theoretically study the nonequilibrium dynamics of the order parameter of a superconducting ring inhomogeneously quenched through its transition temperature. Numerical simulations based on spectral decomposition of the time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau equation reveal that current-carrying superconducting states can be generated in the ring under certain fast local temperature quench conditions. We also show that illumination of the ring with a circularly polarized electromagnetic radiation during rapid cooling strongly promotes the generation of current-carrying states with rotation directions controlled by the helicity of the radiation field.

• Received 2 June 2021
• Revised 29 November 2021
• Accepted 4 January 2022

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.105.L020504