Reversible ordering and disordering of the vortex lattice in UPt3

TL;DR

This study investigates how the vortex lattice in UPt3 disorder and re-order over time due to uranium fission, revealing insights into vortex glass states and the effects of radiation exposure.

Contribution

It demonstrates reversible vortex lattice disordering and reordering in UPt3 caused by fission-induced heating, without significant radiation damage.

Findings

Disordering rate proportional to magnetic field

Vortex glass state can be re-formed with small field oscillations

No significant radiation damage after long exposure

Abstract

When studied by small-angle neutron scattering the vortex lattice (VL) in UPt3 undergoes a gradual disordering as a function of time due to 235U fission. This temporarily heats regions of the sample above the critical temperature, where, upon re-cooling, the vortices remain in a quenched vortex glass state. The disordering rate is proportional to the magnetic field, suggesting that it is governed by collective VL properties such as the elastic moduli. An ordered VL can be re-formed by applying a small field oscillation, showing that the fission does not cause significant radiation damage to the UPt3 crystals, even after long exposure.