Quantum melting of the quasi-two-dimensional vortex lattice in kappa- (ET)2Cu(NCS)(2).
We report torque magnetization measurements in regions of the mixed state phase diagram ( B approximately mu(o)H(c2) and T(c)/10(3)) of the organic superconductor kappa-(ET)2Cu(NCS)(2), where quantum fluctuations are expected to dominate thermal effects. Over most of the field range below the irreversibility line ( B(irr)), magnetothermal instabilities are observed in the form of flux jumps. The abrupt cessation of these instabilities just below B(irr) indicates a quantum melting transition from a quasi-two-dimensional vortex lattice phase to a quantum liquid phase.
Mola
M M
MM
Department of Physics, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana 59717, USA.
Hill
S
S
Brooks
J S
JS
Qualls
J S
JS