Abstract
The first-order phase transition of the vortex-lattice in crystals is shown to transform into a continuous transition when disorder is introduced via a very low concentration of columnar defects. We demonstrate fine tuning of the disorder strength and the recovery of the first-order transition by varying the concentration of the columns, by changing the temperature along the melting line, or by tilting the magnetic field with respect to the columns.
- Received 20 January 1998
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.57.R14088
©1998 American Physical Society