Vortex lattce melting in 2D superconductors and Josephson arrays

TL;DR

This study uses Monte Carlo simulations to analyze vortex lattice melting in 2D superconductors and Josephson arrays, confirming a weakly first-order transition consistent with KTNHY theory and finding no hexatic phase.

Contribution

It provides detailed numerical evidence supporting the dislocation-mediated melting theory in 2D vortex lattices, with specific insights into the nature of the transition.

Findings

Melting transition is weakly first order.

Shear modulus jump matches KTNHY predictions.

No hexatic liquid phase observed.

Abstract

Monte Carlo simulations of 2D vortex lattice melting in a thin superconducting film (or alternatively an array of Josephson junctions) are performed in the London limit. Finite size scaling analyses are used to make a detailed test of the dislocation mediated melting theory of KTNHY. We find that the melting transition is weakly first order, with a jump in the shear modulus very close to that predicted by the KTNHY theory. No hexatic liquid phase is found.