Topological defects in the random-field {ital XY} model and the pinned vortex lattice to vortex glass transition in type-II superconductors

Journal Article · Sat Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1996 · Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.53.15193· OSTI ID:286112

Gingras, M J ^[1]; Huse, D A ^[2]

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1. TRIUMF, 4004 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, (Canada) V6T-2A3
2. Bell Laboratories, Murray Hill, New Jersey 07974 (United States)

As a simplified model of randomly pinned vortex lattices or charge-density waves, we study the random-field {ital XY} model on square ({ital d}=2) and simple cubic ({ital d}=3) lattices. We verify in Monte Carlo simulations that the average spacing between topological defects (vortices) diverges more strongly than the Imry-Ma pinning length as the random field strength {ital H} is reduced. We suggest that for {ital d}=3 the simulation data are consistent with a topological phase transition at a nonzero critical field {ital H}{sub {ital c}} to a pinned phase that is defect free at large length scales. We also discuss the connection between the possible existence of this phase transition in the random-field {ital XY} model and the magnetic-field-driven transition from a pinned vortex lattice to a vortex glass in weakly disordered type-II superconductors. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}

• OSTI ID: 286112
• Journal Information: Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter, Vol. 53, Issue 22; Other Information: PBD: Jun 1996
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

66 PHYSICS
TYPE-II SUPERCONDUCTORS
ORDER-DISORDER TRANSFORMATIONS
CRYSTAL DEFECTS
MAGNETIC FLUX
CUBIC LATTICES
MONTE CARLO METHOD
CRITICAL FIELD
MAGNETIC FIELDS
XY MODEL
CHARGE DENSITY WAVES
SQUARE LATTICES