Amorphous vortex phase in Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8 after the first order liquid-solid phase transition

• Published in: Journal of low temperature physics Vol. 135; no. 1-2; pp. 139 - 142
• Main Authors: MENGHINI, M, FASANO, Yanina, DE LA CRUZ, F, BANERJEE, S. S, MYASOEDOV, Y, ZELDOV, E, VAN DER BEEK, C. J, KONCZYKOWSKI, M, TAMEGAI, T
• Format: Conference Proceeding Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Heidelberg Springer 01.04.2004; Springer Verlag (Germany)
• Subjects: Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Exact sciences and technology; Physics; Properties of type I and type II superconductors; Superconductivity; Vortex lattices ,flux pinning, flux creep; Magnetic flux; Inorganic compounds; Vortex glass; Phase transformations; Transition element compounds; Bismuth oxides; Experimental study; Calcium oxides; Strontium oxides; Flux pinning; Multi-element compounds; Vortices; High-Tc superconductors; Columnar defects; Flux-line lattices; Vortex liquids; Copper oxides; Symmetry
• ISSN: 0022-2291; 1573-7357
• DOI: 10.1023/B:JOLT.0000016975.59303.66

It is widely accepted that the first-order vortex liquid-solid phase transition is associated with a crystalline solid phase and the second order transition with an amorphous one. The combination of a technique that determines the order of the transition with the visualization of the vortex structure has allowed the detection, for the first time, of a first-order liquid-solid transition without structural symmetry change. The results show that the quasi-long range order of the solid phase is not a necessary condition for the first-order phase transition to occur. This opens an important question on the microscopic origin of the liquid-solid phase transition in vortex matter.