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Direct observation of magnetic flux lattice melting and decomposition in the high-Tc superconductor Bi2.15Sr1.95CaCu2O8+x

Abstract

The flux line lattice inside a single crystal of Bi2.15Sr1.95CaCu2O8+x has been observed using small-angle neutron diffraction. The diffracted intensity goes rapidly to zero at a magnetic-field-dependent flux lattice melting temperature; this melting coincides with the appearance of finite resistance within the superconducting state. The flux lattice signal can also be made to disappear at low temperatures, by applying a sufficiently high field, probably because of the decomposition of flux lines into two-dimensional 'pancake' vortices.

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Cubitt, R., Forgan, E., Yang, G. et al. Direct observation of magnetic flux lattice melting and decomposition in the high-Tc superconductor Bi2.15Sr1.95CaCu2O8+x. Nature 365, 407–411 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1038/365407a0

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