Vortex lattce melting in 2D superconductors and Josephson arrays

Abstract

Monte Carlo simulations of 2D vortex lattice melting in a thin superconducting film (or alternatively an array of Josephson junctions) are performed in the London limit. Finite size scaling analyses are used to make a detailed test of the dislocation mediated melting theory of KTNHY. We find that the melting transition is weakly first order, with a jump in the shear modulus very close to that predicted by the KTNHY theory. No hexatic liquid phase is found.

12 pages, 4 figures (available on request from [email protected]), REVTEX [we revise our conclusion on the order of the melting transition from second to first order - new figure 4 added]