Vortex Lattice Structural Transitions: a Ginzburg-Landau Model Approach

Abstract

We analyze the rhombic to square vortex lattice phase transition in anisotropic superconductors using a variant of Ginzburg-Landau (GL) theory. The mean-field phase diagram is determined to second order in the anisotropy parameter, and shows a reorientation transition of the square vortex lattice with respect to the crystal lattice. We then derive the long-wavelength elastic moduli of the lattices, and use them to show that thermal fluctuations produce a reentrant rhombic to square lattice transition line, similar to recent studies which used a nonlocal London model.

4 pages, 3 figures, final version with various referee suggested modifications, scheduled to appear in PRL

References in corpus (12)

• The Flux-Line Lattice in Superconductors
• Direct evidence for an intrinsic square vortex lattice in the overdoped high-Tc superconductor La1.83Sr0.17CuO4+d
• Generalized London free energy for high-$T_c$ vortex lattices
• Reentrant vortex lattice transformation in four-fold symmetric superconductors
• Theory of equilibrium flux lattices in unconventional superconductors
• Temperature Dependence of the Flux Line Lattice Transition into Square Symmetry in Superconducting LuNi${}_2$B${}_2$C
• Effect of fluctuations on vortex lattice structural transitions in superconductors
• Static and Dynamical Anisotropy Effects in Mixed State of D - Wave Superconductors
• Field evolution of vortex lattice in LuNi_2B_2C seen by decoration in fields up to 1.5 kOe
• The Phase Transition to a Square Vortex Lattice in Type-II Superconductors with Fourfold Anisotropy
• An Interpretation of the Neutron Scattering Data on Flux Lattices of Superconductors
• Elastic moduli of vortex lattices within nonlocal London model

Cited by in corpus (7)

• The Ginzburg-Landau Theory of Type II superconductors in magnetic field
• Instability of square vortex lattice in d-wave superconductors is due to paramagnetic depairing
• Strain-induced inter-vortex interaction and vortex lattices in tetragonal superconductors
• Structural Transitions in Vortex Systems with Anisotropic Interactions
• Anomalous Paramagnetic Effects in the Mixed State of LuNi2B2C
• Rotational transition, domain formation, dislocations and defects in vortex systems with combined six- and 12-fold anisotropic interactions
• Distorted vortex lattice in a tetrahedral superconductor