  We suggest a new theoretical approach describing the velocity of magnetic
flux dendrite penetration into thin superconducting films. The key assumptions
for this approach are based upon experimental observations. We treat a dendrite
tip motion as a propagating flux jump instability. Two different regimes of
dendrite propagation are found. A fast initial stage is followed by a slow
stage, which sets in as soon as a dendrite enters into the vortex-free region.
We find that the dendrite velocity is inversely proportional to the sample
thickness. The theoretical results and experimental data obtained by a
magneto-optic pump-probe technique are compared and excellent agreement between
the calculations and measurements is found.

Superconductivity