Observation of a field-driven structural phase transition in the flux line lattice in ErNi2B2C

M. R. Eskildsen, P. L. Gammel, B. P. Barber, U. Yaron, A. P. Ramirez, D. A. Huse, D. J. Bishop, C. Bolle, C. M. Lieber, S. Oxx, S. Sridhar, N. H. Andersen, K. Mortensen, P. C. Canfield

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

134 Scopus citations

Abstract

Small-angle neutron scattering and magnetic decoration both demonstrate a topological transition in the flux line lattice (FLL) in ErNi2B2C. The high-field square lattice slowly transforms into a hexagonal lattice via an area preserving [100] rhombohedral distortion below roughly 500 Oe. The square FLL is aligned with the [110] direction of the tetragonal crystal, while the two domains of the hexagonal FLL are aligned with [100] and [010]. The differences in pinning for the two FLL topologies are reflected in the rf kinetic inductance.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1968-1971
Number of pages4
JournalPhysical review letters
Volume78
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - 1997
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Physics and Astronomy

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