Monte Carlo simulation of flux lattice melting in a model high-Tcsuperconductor

Abstract

We studied flux lattice melting in a model high-${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$ superconductor by Monte Carlo simulation in terms of vortex variables. We identify two melting curves in the B-T phase diagram and evaluate a density-dependent Lindemann criterion number for melting. We also observe that the transition temperature shifts downward toward the two-dimensional melting limit as the density of flux lines increases. Although the transition temperature does not change, a significant difference in shear modulus is observed when flux cutting or reconnection is allowed.