Critical dynamics of gauge systems: spontaneous vortex formation in 2D superconductors

We examine the formation of vortices during the nonequilibrium relaxation of a high-temperature initial state of an Abelian-Higgs system. We equilibrate the scalar and gauge fields using gauge-invariant Langevin equations and relax the system by instantaneously removing thermal fluctuations. For cou...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inPhysical review letters Vol. 88; no. 13; p. 137004
Main Authors Stephens, G J, Bettencourt, Luís M A, Zurek, W H
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.04.2002
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Summary:We examine the formation of vortices during the nonequilibrium relaxation of a high-temperature initial state of an Abelian-Higgs system. We equilibrate the scalar and gauge fields using gauge-invariant Langevin equations and relax the system by instantaneously removing thermal fluctuations. For couplings near critical, kappa(c) = square root[lambda]/e = 1, we observe the formation of large clusters of like-sign magnetic vortices. Their appearance has implications for the dynamics of the phase transition, for the distribution of topological defects, and for late-time phase ordering kinetics. We offer explanations for both the observed vortex densities and vortex configurations.
ISSN:0031-9007
DOI:10.1103/PhysRevLEtt.88.137004