Surface melting of the vortex lattice

We discuss the effect of an (ab)-surface on the melting transition of the pancake-vortex lattice in a layered superconductor within a density functional theory approach. Both discontinuous and continuous surface melting are predicted for this system, although the latter scenario occupies the major part of the low-field phase diagram. The formation of a quasi-liquid layer below the bulk melting temperature inhibits the appearance of a superheated solid phase, yielding an asymmetric hysteretic behavior which has been seen in experiments.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

Dissociation of vortex stacks into fractional-flux vortices

We discuss the zero field superconducting phase transition in a finite system of magnetically coupled superconducting layers. Transverse screening is modified by the presence of other layers resulting in topological excitations with fractional flux. Vortex stacks trapping a full flux and present at any finite temperature undergo an evaporation transition which corresponds to the depairing of fractional-flux vortices in individual layers. We propose an experiment with a bi-layer system allowing us to identify the dissociation of bound vortex molecules.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure; revised version, to appear in Phys. Rev. Let

Surface Melting of the Vortex Lattice in Layered Superconductors: Density Functional Theory

We study the effects of an $ab$-surface on the vortex-solid to vortex-liquid transition in layered superconductors in the limit of vanishing inter-layer Josephson coupling. We derive the interaction between pancake vortices in a semi-infinite sample and adapt the density functional theory of freezing to this system. We obtain an effective one-component order-parameter theory which can be used to describe the effects of the surface on vortex-lattice melting. Due to the absence of protecting layers in the neighbourhood of the surface, the vortex lattice formed near the surface is more susceptible to thermal fluctuations. Depending on the value of the magnetic field, we predict either a continuous or a discontinuous surface melting transition. For intermediate values of the magnetic field, the surface melts continuously, assisting the formation of the liquid phase and suppressing hysteresis above the melting transition, a prediction consistent with experimental results. For very low and very high magnetic fields, the surface melts discontinuously. The two different surface melting scenarios are separated by two surface multicritical points, which we locate on the melting line.Comment: 16 pages, 12 figure

Quantitative analysis of shadow X-ray Magnetic Circular Dichroism Photo-Emission Electron Microscopy

Shadow X-ray Magnetic Circular Dichroism Photo-Emission Electron Microscopy (XMCD-PEEM) is a recent technique, in which the photon intensity in the shadow of an object lying on a surface, may be used to gather information about the three-dimensional magnetization texture inside the object. Our purpose here is to lay the basis of a quantitative analysis of this technique. We first discuss the principle and implementation of a method to simulate the contrast expected from an arbitrary micromagnetic state. Text book examples and successful comparison with experiments are then given. Instrumental settings are finally discussed, having an impact on the contrast and spatial resolution : photon energy, microscope extraction voltage and plane of focus, microscope background level, electric-field related distortion of three-dimensional objects, Fresnel diffraction or photon scattering

Extensive degeneracy, Coulomb phase and magnetic monopoles in an artificial realization of the square ice model

Artificial spin ice systems have been introduced as a possible mean to investigate frustration effects in a well-controlled manner by fabricating lithographically-patterned two-dimensional arrangements of interacting magnetic nanostructures. This approach offers the opportunity to visualize unconventional states of matter, directly in real space, and triggered a wealth of studies at the frontier between nanomagnetism, statistical thermodynamics and condensed matter physics. Despite the strong efforts made these last ten years to provide an artificial realization of the celebrated square ice model, no simple geometry based on arrays of nanomagnets succeeded to capture the macroscopically degenerate ground state manifold of the corresponding model. Instead, in all works reported so far, square lattices of nanomagnets are characterized by a magnetically ordered ground state consisting of local flux-closure configurations with alternating chirality. Here, we show experimentally and theoretically, that all the characteristics of the square ice model can be observed if the artificial square lattice is properly designed. The spin configurations we image after demagnetizing our arrays reveal unambiguous signatures of an algebraic spin liquid state characterized by the presence of pinch points in the associated magnetic structure factor. Local excitations, i.e. classical analogues of magnetic monopoles, are found to be free to evolve in a massively degenerated, divergence-free vacuum. We thus provide the first lab-on-chip platform allowing the investigation of collective phenomena, including Coulomb phases and ice-like physics.Comment: 26 pages, 10 figure

Propellants

There is little doubt that explosives had their origin in warfare. In the armed conflict between groups of individuals or of states, where each sought and still seeks to impose its will upon the other by force, it was inevitable that arms should grow and flourish. The sling, the bow and arrow, the sword and firearm typify evolution in warfare weapons. Bs a means of propelling missiles, the gun and gun powder were thought of. The history of explosives, therefore, may be said to begin with black powder

Two-photon Lithography for 3D Magnetic Nanostructure Fabrication

Ferromagnetic materials have been utilised as recording media within data storage devices for many decades. Confinement of the material to a two dimensional plane is a significant bottleneck in achieving ultra-high recording densities and this has led to the proposition of three dimensional (3D) racetrack memories that utilise domain wall propagation along nanowires. However, the fabrication of 3D magnetic nanostructures of complex geometry is highly challenging and not easily achievable with standard lithography techniques. Here, by using a combination of two-photon lithography and electrochemical deposition, we show a new approach to construct 3D magnetic nanostructures of complex geometry. The magnetic properties are found to be intimately related to the 3D geometry of the structure and magnetic imaging experiments provide evidence of domain wall pinning at a 3D nanostructured junction

Intelligence within BAOR and NATO's Northern Army Group

During the Cold War the UK's principal military role was its commitment to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) through the British Army of the Rhine (BAOR), together with wartime command of NATO's Northern Army Group. The possibility of a surprise attack by the numerically superior Warsaw Pact forces ensured that great importance was attached to intelligence, warning and rapid mobilisation. As yet we know very little about the intelligence dimension of BAOR and its interface with NATO allies. This article attempts to address these neglected issues, ending with the impact of the 1973 Yom Kippur War upon NATO thinking about warning and surprise in the mid-1970s. It concludes that the arrangements made by Whitehall for support to BAOR from national assets during crisis or transition to war were - at best - improbable. Accordingly, over the years, BAOR developed its own unique assets in the realm of both intelligence collection and special operations in order to prepare for the possible outbreak of conflict