Elasticity and Melting of Skyrmion Flux Lattices in $p$-Wave Superconductors

Elasticity and Melting of Skyrmion Flux Lattices in $p$ -Wave Superconductors

Qi Li, John Toner, and D. Belitz

Phys. Rev. Lett. 98, 187002 – Published 2 May 2007

Abstract

We analytically calculate the energy, magnetization curves [ $B (H)$ ], and elasticity of Skyrmions flux lattices in $p$ -wave superconductors near the lower critical field $H_{c 1}$ , and we use these results with the Lindemann criterion to predict their melting curve. In striking contrast to vortex flux lattices, which always melt at an external field $H > H_{c 1}$ , Skyrmion flux lattices never melt near $H_{c 1}$ . This provides a simple and unambiguous test for the presence of Skyrmions.

Received 18 July 2006

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.98.187002

Authors & Affiliations

Qi Li^1,2, John Toner¹, and D. Belitz^1,2

¹Department of Physics and Institute of Theoretical Science, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon 97403, USA
²Materials Science Institute, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon 97403, USA

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Issue

Vol. 98, Iss. 18 — 4 May 2007

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