In Search of the Vortex Loop Blowout Transition for a type-II Superconductor in a Finite Magnetic Field

TL;DR

This study uses simulations of the 3D XY model to investigate the existence of a vortex loop blowout transition in type-II superconductors under magnetic fields, revealing a percolation transition but no thermodynamic signature.

Contribution

It provides new insights into vortex line behavior and percolation phenomena in superconductors, highlighting the importance of vortex path tracing schemes.

Findings

Evidence for a transverse vortex path percolation transition

No detectable signal of the transition in specific heat measurements

Results depend strongly on vortex line tracing scheme

Abstract

The 3D uniformly frustrated XY model is simulated to search for a predicted "vortex loop blowout" transition within the vortex line liquid phase of a strongly type-II superconductor in an applied magnetic field. Results are shown to strongly depend on the precise scheme used to trace out vortex line paths. While we find evidence for a transverse vortex path percolation transition, no signal of this transition is found in the specific heat.