Critical dynamics of gauge systems: Spontaneous vortex formation in 2D superconductors
Abstract
We examine the formation of vortices during the nonequilibrium relaxation of a high-temperature initial state of an Abelian-Higgs system. We equilibrate the scalar and gauge fields using gauge-invariant Langevin equations and relax the system by instantaneously removing thermal fluctuations. For couplings near critical we observe the formation of large clusters of like-sign magnetic vortices. Their appearance has implications for the dynamics of the phase transition, for the observed distribution of topological defects and for late-time phase ordering kinetics. We offer explanations for both the observed vortex densities and vortex configurations.
Cite
@article{arxiv.cond-mat/0108127,
title = {Critical dynamics of gauge systems: Spontaneous vortex formation in 2D superconductors},
author = {G. J. Stephens and Luis M. A. Bettencourt and W. H. Zurek},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:cond-mat/0108127},
year = {2011}
}
Comments
4 pages, 6 figures, RevTex. Moderate rewriting with added references. Main conclusions unchanged