1993/05/21 by David R. Nelson, Nelson, David R.
Engineering · Physics and Astronomy · #Condensed Matter (cond-mat) #FOS: Physical sciences #Phase Equilibria and Thermodynamics #Physics of Superconductivity and Magnetism #Theoretical and Computational Physics #cond-mat
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.cond-mat/9305025
24 pages, plain TeX, Report # CMT-HU-N01
arxiv created 1993/05/21 · openalex publication_date 1993/05/21 · arxiv updated 2009/11/30 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
Concepts from elementary quantum mechanics can be used to understand vortex line fluctuations in high-temperature superconductors. Flux lines are essentially classical objects, described by a string tension, their mutual repulsion, and interactions with pinning centers. The classical partition function, however, is isomorphic to the imaginary time path integral description of quantum mechanics. This observation is used to determine the thermal renormalization of critical currents, the decoupling field, the flux lattice melting temperature at low and moderate inductions, and to estimate the degree of entanglement in dense flux liquids. The consequences of the ``polymer glass'' freezing scenario, which assumes that the kinetic constraints of entanglement prevent field cooled flux liquids from crystallizing, are reviewed.