Light induced Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless transition in Superconducting Films

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a light-driven non-equilibrium vortex BKT transition in superconducting films, revealing a new class of topological phase transitions induced by light, independent of thermal effects.

Contribution

It introduces a novel light-induced vortex phase transition in superconductors modeled via time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau equations, expanding understanding of non-thermal topological transitions.

Findings

Vortex-antivortex deconfinement via light fields

Phase diagram analogous to QCD phases

Transitions driven by light-induced depairing

Abstract

We report a light-driven non-equilibrium vortex Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless (BKT) transition in a superconductor. We use a time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau model to demonstrate vortex-antivortex deconfinement via light induced fields. The transformation occurs independently of thermal fluctuations and is viewed as a quantum phase transition. The resulting phase map mirrors QCD phase diagram, delineating confined, premelted, and fully deconfined vortex phases. The nature of these phases is discussed. Transitions between phases are governed by light induced depairing and phase fluctuations, establishing a new class of light-induced topological transitions.