Crystal-lattice coupling to the vortex-melting transition in YBa(2)Cu(3)O(7-delta).
Distinct discontinuities in the thermal expansion of the crystal lattice are observed at the melting transition of the vortex lattice in a naturally untwinned reversible YBa(2)Cu3O(7-delta) single crystal using high-resolution dilatometry. This coupling between the vortex transition and the crystal lattice demonstrates that the crystal lattice is more than a mere host for the vortices, and it is attributed to a strong pressure dependence of the superconducting transition temperature and thus to the condensation energy at the vortex-melting temperature.
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Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe, Institut für Festkörperphysik, 76021 Karlsruhe, Germany and Fakultät für Physik, Universität Karlsruhe, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany.
Meingast
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Welp
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Crabtree
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