Dynamics of transient disordered vortex states in BSCCO

TL;DR

This study investigates the behavior of transient disordered vortex states in BSCCO using magneto-optical techniques, revealing how these states propagate or retreat under different magnetic field conditions and how their annealing time relates to phase transitions.

Contribution

It provides a detailed experimental analysis of transient vortex state dynamics and introduces a theoretical framework for understanding their generation and annealing processes.

Findings

Transient vortex states propagate or retreat at rates linked to magnetic field changes.

The annealing time tau is consistent across different experimental conditions.

Knowledge of tau(B,T) enables accurate determination of the vortex phase transition line.

Abstract

The dynamics of transient disordered vortex states in BSCCO was magneto-optically traced in three experiments: (i) during continuous injection of transient vortex states while ramping up the external magnetic field, (ii) during annealing of injected transient states while keeping the external field constant, and (iii) during annealing of transient 'supercooled' disordered states while ramping down the external field. The results reveal front-like propagation (experiment i) or retreat (experiments ii and iii) of the transient vortex states, at a rate governed by the rate of change of the external field, the annealing time tau of the transient states and the creep rate. The experimental results are theoretically analyzed in terms of competition between generation and annealing of transient disordered vortex states. Extraction of the annealing time tau from the above three experiments, yields the same results for tau as a function of the induction, B, and temperature T. Knowledge of tau(B,T) allows for correct determination of the thermodynamic order-disorder vortex phase transition line.