# pinning

/ˈpɪnɪŋ/ (US) · /pˈɪnɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pinning
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

the way a particle's movement is stopped or held in place by a defect in a material. This is very important in physics for making strong magnets work correctly.

For teachers: the restriction of movement of magnetic flux lines or dislocations within a material due to structural defects or impurities. This mechanism is essential for maintaining high current densities in superconductors.

## Examples

- Flux pinning allows the magnet to float above the superconductor.
- The researchers studied how chemical impurities affect the pinning of magnetic vortices in thin films.
- Effective pinning of magnetic flux lines is a prerequisite for the practical application of high-temperature superconductors in power transmission and medical imaging devices.

## Usage notes

- Often appears in the compound phrase 'flux pinning' within condensed matter physics.

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