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06:53
Scanning SQUID Study of Vortex Manipulation by Local Contact
Published on: February 1, 2017
Vortex liquid crystals in anisotropic type II superconductors.
E W Carlson1, A H Castro Neto, D K Campbell
1Department of Physics, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA.
Physical Review Letters
|March 14, 2003
Summary
Anisotropic superconductors may exhibit two-step melting transitions. Vortex lattice melts into smectic and nematic phases, driven by anisotropic superfluid stiffness and fluctuations.
Area of Science:
- Condensed matter physics
- Superconductivity
Background:
- Type II superconductors transition to a normal state via vortex lattice melting in magnetic fields.
- Anisotropy in superconductors can lead to elongated vortices and liquid crystalline phases.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the possibility of two-step melting in homogeneous type II superconductors with anisotropic superfluid stiffness.
- Explore transitions from a vortex lattice to smectic and nematic phases at high temperatures and magnetic fields.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical examination of anisotropic superconductors.
- Analysis of vortex lattice melting dynamics.
Main Results:
- Vortices in anisotropic superconductors can form smectic and nematic phases.
- Fluctuations favor an instability towards an intermediate smectic-A phase without intrinsic pinning.
Conclusions:
- Anisotropic superconductors exhibit complex melting behaviors beyond simple vortex lattice melting.
- The formation of smectic and nematic phases is a key characteristic of anisotropic superconductors under specific conditions.
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