Critical fluctuations in the thermodynamics of quasi-two-dimensional type-II supeconductors

Abstract

Thermodynamic quantities in quasi-2D type-II superconductors exhibit characteristic scaling behavior for high fields in the critical region around ${\mathit{H}}_{\mathit{c}2}$(T). Using a nonperturbative approach to the Ginzburg-Landau free energy functional, the scaling functions for the free energy, magnetization, entropy, and specific heat are evaluated in a closed form. The experimental data for ${\mathrm{Bi}}_2$ ${\mathrm{Sr}}_2$ ${\mathrm{Ca}}_2$ ${\mathrm{Cu}}_3$ ${\mathrm{O}}_{10}$ are presented which are in agreement with the theoretical results.