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Superheating and Supercooling of Vortex Matter in a Nb Single Crystal: Direct Evidence for a Phase Transition at the Peak Effect from Neutron Diffraction

X. S. Ling, S. R. Park, B. A. McClain, S. M. Choi, D. C. Dender, and J. W. Lynn
Phys. Rev. Lett. 86, 712 – Published 22 January 2001
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Abstract

We report the first observation of a striking history dependence of the structure function of vortex matter in the peak effect regime in a Nb single crystal by using small angle neutron scattering combined with in situ magnetic susceptibility measurements. Metastable phases of vortex matter, supercooled vortex liquid and superheated vortex solid, have been identified. We interpret our results as direct structural evidence for a first-order vortex solid-liquid transition at the peak effect.

  • Received 11 August 2000

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.86.712

©2001 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

X. S. Ling1, S. R. Park1, B. A. McClain1, S. M. Choi2,3, D. C. Dender2,3, and J. W. Lynn2

  • 1Department of Physics, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912
  • 2NIST Center for Neutron Research, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899
  • 3University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742

Comments & Replies

Comment on “Superheating and Supercooling of Vortex Matter in a Nb Single Crystal: Direct Evidence for a Phase Transition at the Peak Effect from Neutron Diffraction”

G. P. Mikitik and E. H. Brandt
Phys. Rev. Lett. 89, 259701 (2002)

Ling et al. Reply:

X. S. Ling, S. R. Park, B. A. McClain, S. M. Choi, D. C. Dender, and J. W. Lynn
Phys. Rev. Lett. 89, 259702 (2002)

See Also

Melting in a Superconductor

Phys. Rev. Focus 7, 2 (2001)

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Vol. 86, Iss. 4 — 22 January 2001

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