A small angle neutron scattering study of the vortex matter in La{2-x}Sr{x}CuO{4} (x=0.17)

TL;DR

This study uses small angle neutron scattering to investigate the vortex lattice in overdoped La{2-x}Sr{x}CuO{4} (x=0.17), revealing a stable square vortex lattice up to high fields and vortex melting below Tc.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the vortex matter in La{2-x}Sr{x}CuO{4} at high magnetic fields, extending previous low-field studies.

Findings

Square vortex lattice persists up to 10.5 Tesla.

Vortex lattice melts at temperatures below Tc.

No further change in vortex lattice structure at high fields.

Abstract

The magnetic phase diagram of slightly overdoped La{2-x}Sr{x}CuO{4} (x=0.17) is characterised by a field-induced hexagonal to square transition of the vortex lattice at low fields (~0.4 Tesla) [R. Gilardi et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 88, 217003 (2002)]. Here we report on a small angle neutron scattering study of the vortex lattice at higher fields, that reveals no further change of the coordination of the square vortex lattice up to 10.5 Tesla applied perpendicular to the CuO2 planes. Moreover, it is found that the diffraction signal disappears at temperatures well below Tc, due to the melting of the vortex lattice.