Layered superconductors. I. Vortex and fluxon phase transitions

Baruch Horovitz
Phys. Rev. B 47, 5947 – Published 1 March 1993
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Abstract

A system of superconducting layers with spacing d, in-layer penetration depth λe and Josephson coupling between neighboring layers J is studied. When J=0 the system exhibits a two-dimensional (2D) phase transition of vortex unbinding at a temperature Tv. When λe≲d a finite-size transition at Tveff>Tv distinguishes this system from an XY model. When J≠0, but vortices are neglected, Josephson fluxon loops lead to a distinct phase transition at Tf>Tv in which a significant second nearest-layer coupling is generated. Competing vortices and fluxon loops lead to a three-dimensional phase transition at Tc, where Tv<Tc<Tf. For CuO2-based superconductors (λe≫d) Tc is near Tf if Tc≳J≫Tcexp(-Ec/Tc), where Ec is a renormalized vortex-core energy; Tc drops to Tv as J is decreased, accounting for data on YBa2Cu3O7/PrBa2Cu3O7 superlattices.

  • Received 30 July 1992

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.47.5947

©1993 American Physical Society

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See Also

Layered superconductors. II. Melting of parallel-flux lattice

Baruch Horovitz
Phys. Rev. B 47, 5964 (1993)

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Vol. 47, Iss. 10 — 1 March 1993

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