Fractional vortices in the XY model with $\pi$ bonds
Abstract
We define a new set of excitations in the XY model which we call ``fractional vortices''. In the frustrated XY model containing bonds, we make the ansatz that the ground state configurations can be characterized by pairs of oppositely charged fractional vortices. For a chain of bonds, the ground state energy and the phase configurations calculated on the basis of this ansatz agree well with the results from direct numerical simulations. Finally, we discuss the possible connection of these results to some recent experiments by Kirtley {\it et al} [Phys. Rev. B {\bf 51}, R12057 (1995)] on high-T superconductors where fractional flux trapping was observed along certain grain boundaries.
Cite
@article{arxiv.cond-mat/0008471,
title = {Fractional vortices in the XY model with $\pi$ bonds},
author = {R. V. Kulkarni and E. Almaas and K. D. Fisher and D. Stroud},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:cond-mat/0008471},
year = {2009}
}
Comments
13 pages, 14 figures included (.eps). No essential differences to previous version, however more compact format