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Title: Vortex localization in single crystals of Tl{sub 2}Ba{sub 2}CuO{sub 6+{delta}} with columnar defects

Journal Article · · Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter
; ;  [1]; ; ; ;  [2]
  1. The James Franck Institute and Department of Physics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637 (United States)
  2. Materials Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois 60439 (United States)

We investigate the effect of columnar defects on the low-temperature magnetic response of a highly anisotropic superconductor. Using a {ital local} magnetic field sensor, the vortex creep rate in single crystals of Tl{sub 2}Ba{sub 2}CuO{sub 6+{delta}} containing columnar defects is found to be a highly nonmonotonic function of vortex density. The creep rate is largest when the vortex density is less than the defect density. A strong suppression of the creep rate is observed near the matching field, {ital B}{sub {phi}}, corresponding to equal numbers of vortices and defects. We tentatively associate this finding with the Mott-insulator line phase proposed by Nelson and Vinokur [Phys. Rev. B {bold 48}, 13060 (1993)]. For higher vortex densities, an additional minimum is found near 3{ital B}{sub {phi}}, emphasizing the importance of vortex interactions. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}

Research Organization:
Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
W-31109-ENG-38
OSTI ID:
389354
Journal Information:
Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter, Vol. 54, Issue 18; Other Information: PBD: Nov 1996
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English