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Orientational Transition in a Liquid Crystal Triggered by the Thermodynamic Growth of Interfacial Wetting Sheets
Published on: May 15, 2017
An unusual phase transition to a second liquid vortex phase in the superconductor YBa2Cu3O7
F Bouquet1, C Marcenat, E Steep
1Département de Recherche Fondamentale sur la Matière Condensée, Service de Physique, Magnétisme et Supraconductivité, CEA-Grenoble, 38054, Grenoble, France. Frederic_Bouquet@Yahoo.Com
Nature
|May 25, 2001
Summary
Researchers studied the vortex phase in Yttrium Barium Copper Oxide (YBa2Cu3O7) superconductors. They discovered a reversible second-order transition above the critical point, indicating a new vortex-liquid phase.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
- Superconductivity
Background:
- Superconductors allow magnetic fields to penetrate via vortices, influencing resistivity.
- In high-temperature superconductors, vortices can transition from a solid to a liquid state, causing resistance.
- The critical point and thermodynamic nature of this vortex melting in Yttrium Barium Copper Oxide (YBa2Cu3O7) remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the phase diagram of Yttrium Barium Copper Oxide (YBa2Cu3O7) superconductors.
- To investigate the thermodynamic nature of vortex melting near and above the critical point.
- To characterize the phase transition occurring at high magnetic fields.
Main Methods:
- Measurements of specific heat.
- Magnetization measurements.
- Exploration of the phase diagram up to 26 Tesla.
Main Results:
- The phase diagram of Yttrium Barium Copper Oxide (YBa2Cu3O7) was determined up to 26 T.
- A reversible second-order phase transition was identified above the critical point.
- The high-temperature phase exhibits lower symmetry, aligning with theoretical predictions.
Conclusions:
- The study establishes the phase diagram and reveals a second-order transition in the vortex state of YBa2Cu3O7.
- The findings support theoretical predictions of a transition to a second vortex-liquid phase.
- This research clarifies the complex phase behavior of high-temperature superconductors under strong magnetic fields.
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