Symmetry-induced giant vortex state in a superconducting film with a Penrose array of magnetic pinning centers

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A direct visualization of the flux distribution in a Pb film covering a five-fold Penrose array of Co dots is obtained by mapping the local field distribution with a scanning Hall probe microscope. We demonstrate that stable vortex configurations can be found for fields H 0.8H₁, H₁ and 1.6H₁, where H₁ corresponds to one flux quantum per pinning site. The vortex pattern at 0.8H₁ corresponds to one vacancy in one of the vertices of the thin tiles whereas at 1.6H₁ the vortex structure can be associated with one interstitial vortex inside each thick tile. Strikingly, for H=1.6H₁ interstitial and pinned vortices arrange themselves in ring-like structures ("vortex corrals") which favor the formation of a giant vortex state at their center.