Nucleation of superconductivity in Al mesoscopic disk with magnetic dot

We have studied the nucleation of superconductivity in a mesoscopic Al disk wit a Co/Pd magnetic dot placed on the top by measuring the normal superconducting phase boundary Tc(B). The measurements have revealed a pronounced asymmetry with respect to the direction of the applied magnetic field, indicating an enhancement of the critical field when an applied magnetic field is oriented parallel to the magnetization of the magnetic dot. The theoretical Tc(B) curve is in a good agreement with the experimental data.