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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Published in | Physical review letters Vol. 88; no. 13; p. 137004 |
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Main Authors | , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
United States
01.04.2002
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Online Access | Get more information |
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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. |
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ISSN: | 0031-9007 |
DOI: | 10.1103/PhysRevLEtt.88.137004 |