Square flux lines in YNi{sub 2}B{sub 2}C

Journal Article · Tue Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1998 · Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.58.R14767· OSTI ID:300111

Yethiraj, M ^[1]; Paul, D M; Tomy, C V ^[2]; Thompson, J R ^[1]

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1. Solid State Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, 37831-6393 (United States)
2. Department of Physics, University of Warwick, Coventry (United Kingdom)

Magnetic fields penetrate a type-II superconductor via quantized flux lines. Why these flux lines sometimes form square arrays, as in YNi{sub 2}B{sub 2}C with the field parallel to the {ital c} axis, rather than the expected hexagonal ordering, has long fascinated physicists and has eluded a simple explanation. Our latest measurements on YNi{sub 2}B{sub 2}C prove conclusively that the London penetration depth within the {ital a-b} plane is not isotropic. This anisotropy of the London depths implies that the cross section of an individual flux line has square symmetry, which makes a square lattice energetically favored over the more prosaic hexagonal ordering. {copyright} {ital 1998} {ital The American Physical Society}

• OSTI ID: 300111
• Journal Information: Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter, Journal Name: Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter Journal Issue: 22 Vol. 58; ISSN 0163-1829; ISSN PRBMDO
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
MAGNETIC FLUX
NICKEL BORIDES
NICKEL CARBIDES
NICKEL COMPOUNDS
PENETRATION DEPTH
YTTERBIUM BORIDES
YTTRIUM CARBIDES
YTTRIUM COMPOUNDS