Observation of vortex lattice melting in large untwinned YBa${}_2$Cu${}_3$O${}_{7-x}$ single crystals

Abstract

We present a study of the vortex lattice in untwinned YBa${}_2$Cu${}_3$O${}_{7-x}$ crystals, using a combination of muon spin rotation and neutron small angle scattering measurements. Both methods show a very sharp melting temperature consistent with a first order transition. The dependence of the melting temperature on the angle of the field with respect to the crystallographic c-axis is studied. The results are compared to thermal measurements.

8 pages, 9 figures