Vortex lattice structures in YNi{sub 2}B{sub 2}C

Conference · Mon Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1997

OSTI ID:522770

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

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1. Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)
2. Univ. of Warwick, Conventry (United Kingdom). Dept. of Physics; and others

We observe a flux lattice with square symmetry in the superconductor YNi{sub 2}B{sub 2}C when the applied field is parallel to the c-axis of the crystal. A square lattice observed previously in the isostructural magnetic analog ErNi{sub 2}B{sub 2}C was attributed to the interaction between magnetic order in that system and the flux lattice. Since the Y-based compound does not order magnetically, it is clear that the structure of the flux lattice is unrelated to magnetic order. In fact, we show that the flux lines have a square cross-section when the applied field is parallel to the c-axis of the crystal, since the measured penetration depth along the 110 crystal direction is smaller than the penetration depth along the 100 by approximately 30%. This causes the square symmetry of the lattice. Although we find considerable disorder in the arrangement of the flux lines at 2.5T, no melting of the vortex lattice was observed.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Energy Research, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-96OR22464
• OSTI ID: 522770
• Report Number(s): CONF-970814--4; ON: DE97008444
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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