The vortex fluctuations have proved to be responsible for the onset of dissipation in thin type-II superconducting Aims. There is also growing evidence that dissipation in high- temperature superconductors exhibits the same kind of two-dimensional (2D) behavior. However, a proper analysis of these materials requires a thorough understanding of the two-dimensional fluctuations. This thesis may be considered to consist of two parts. The first is concerned with two models that have often been used as models for 2D superconductors, the 2D Coulomb gas and the 2D XY model. The second part contains analyses related to high-temperature sup er conductivity. Through analysis of some renormalization equations for the Kosterlitz-Thouless (KT) transition, it is shown that the region governed by the KT critical behavior is very small and only applies at very low values for the flux-flow resistance. It is concluded that this critical behavior not is observable in superconductors, and, furthermore, that the only available method to test for 2D fluctuations at the onset of resistance, is through comparison with the 2D resistance scaling function. The critical temperature for the 2D XY model is determined by means of a finite- size scaling relation for the helicity modulus. The linearly screened potential in the XY model is written in terms of a correlation function. The analogy to the 2D Coulomb gas is found to be exact with a temperature-dependent bare interaction and a new expression for vorticity. It is also demonstrated that the Coulomb gas scaling concept may be applied to XY-type models. An analysis of resistance data for YBCO/PBCO superlattices in terms of the 2D resistance scaling function gives evidence for 2D behavior in the cases with large separation of the superconducting layers. In the superlattices with stronger interlayer coupling, the crossover to three-dimensional behavior is seen as a deviation from the scaling function as Tc is approached from above. The anisotropic three-dimensional (3D) XY model is examined as a model for high- temperature superconductors. It is shown that the density of vortices above Tc are closely equal in the anisotropic 3D model and the 2D model. This is taken as evidence that the 3D to 2D crossover found in the superlattices also is present in the anisotropic 3D XY model. / digitalisering@umu.se

The magnetic susceptibility of 3-4ML ultrathin Fe/W(001) films was measured in situ under ultrahigh vacuum using the surface magneto-optic Kerr effect (SMOKE). Susceptibility measurements indicate that Fe/W(001) is a 2DXY system, and therefore undergoes a finite-size Kosterlitz-Thouless (KT) transition at the critical temperature T_KT. The films were grown using molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) and were characterized using Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and low-energy electron diffraction (LEED). Three distinct categories of susceptibility signals were observed, and are referred to as Type I, II, and III. The primary difference between these signals is the size of the imaginary susceptibility, which likely corresponds to dissipative effects such as domain wall motion. The critical behaviour of the susceptibility in the paramagnetic region is described in the theory by χ(T) ~exp⁡〖〖(B/(T/T_KT-1) 〗^a)〗. A least-squares fit to this paramagnetic region from many independently grown films gives values of a=0.50±0.03 and B=3.48±0.16, which are in quantitative agreement with the KT theory. In comparison to 2nd order phase transitions, a power law fit to the paramagnetic region of the susceptibility yields an effective critical exponent of γ_eff≈3.7±0.7, which does not correspond to any known universality class. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc) / The magnetic properties of atomically thin iron films, referred to as Fe/W(001), were investigated using the highly sensitive phenomenon known as the surface magneto-optic Kerr effect (SMOKE). Fe/W(001) films were grown using the well-developed technique known as molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), which involved a slow and controlled thermal evaporation of an iron source onto a tungsten substrate. Film thickness and uniformity were verified using Auger electron spectroscopy, and film structure was determined using low energy electron diffraction. Film growth and all subsequent measurements were performed in situ under ultrahigh vacuum (10-10 mbar) to limit surface contamination. Using SMOKE, the magnetic susceptibility of the Fe/W(001) films was measured as a function of temperature to look for evidence of a unique phase transition known as the Kosterlitz-Thouless (KT) transition. Fitting experimental susceptibility data to the theoretical model for the KT transition presented persuasive evidence that Fe/W(001) films undergo a KT transition.

Embora em um sistema bidimensional com simetria contínua não haja ordem de longo alcance para temperaturas finitas, o modelo XY 2D exibe uma transição de fase de ordem infinita não usual, associada com a dissociação de defeitos topológicos chamados de vórtices-inteiros, e que pertence à classe de universalidade de Kosterlitz-Thouless (KT). O modelo XY tridimensional exibe ordem de longo-alcance para baixas temperaturas e, à medida que a temperatura aumenta, passa para o estado desordenado através de uma transição ferromagnética usual. Generalizações do modelo XY, incluindo competição entre um termo ferromagnético e um nemático, foram introduzidas e estudadas por diversos autores. Essas interações nemáticas criam novas transições de fases e novos defeitos topológicos, como vórtices semi-inteiros. Neste trabalho, para casos particulares desses modelos generalizados, exploramos as classes de universalidade e os diagramas de fases em duas e três dimensões através de simulações de Monte Carlo usando algoritmos de cluster em GPUs, escalonamento de tamanhos finitos e análise da helicidade. Em particular, encontramos que a competição entre os termos ferromagnético e nemático dá origem a novas linhas de transição que podem pertencer a uma ampla gama de classes, desde a Kosterlitz-Thouless, 3dXY, Ising, Potts com 3 estados e até mesmo uma transição descontínua. / Although in a two-dimensional system with continuous symmetry there is no long-range order at finite temperature, the 2D XY model exhibits an unusual infinite order phase transition, associated with the unbinding of topological defects called integer-vortices, which belongs to the Kosterlitz-Thouless (KT) universality class. The three dimensional XY model exhibits a ferromagnetic long-range order at low temperatures and goes to the disordered state through a usual ferromagnetic transition. Generalizations of the XY model, including competition between a ferromagnetic and a nematic-like term, have been introduced and studied by many autors. These nematic-like interactions create new phase transitions and new topologial defects, like half-integer-vortices. In this work, for particular cases of these generalized models, we explore the universality classes of the transitions and the phase diagrams in two and three dimensions through Monte Carlo simulations using clusters algorithms on GPUs, finite size scaling and helicity analysis. In particular, we find that the competition between the ferromagnetic and nematic terms gives origin to new transition lines that can belong to a wide spectrum of classes, ranging from Kosterlitz-Thouless, 3dXY, Ising, 3 states Potts and even a discontinuous transition.

Embora em um sistema bidimensional com simetria contínua não haja ordem de longo alcance para temperaturas finitas, o modelo XY 2D exibe uma transição de fase de ordem infinita não usual, associada com a dissociação de defeitos topológicos chamados de vórtices-inteiros, e que pertence à classe de universalidade de Kosterlitz-Thouless (KT). O modelo XY tridimensional exibe ordem de longo-alcance para baixas temperaturas e, à medida que a temperatura aumenta, passa para o estado desordenado através de uma transição ferromagnética usual. Generalizações do modelo XY, incluindo competição entre um termo ferromagnético e um nemático, foram introduzidas e estudadas por diversos autores. Essas interações nemáticas criam novas transições de fases e novos defeitos topológicos, como vórtices semi-inteiros. Neste trabalho, para casos particulares desses modelos generalizados, exploramos as classes de universalidade e os diagramas de fases em duas e três dimensões através de simulações de Monte Carlo usando algoritmos de cluster em GPUs, escalonamento de tamanhos finitos e análise da helicidade. Em particular, encontramos que a competição entre os termos ferromagnético e nemático dá origem a novas linhas de transição que podem pertencer a uma ampla gama de classes, desde a Kosterlitz-Thouless, 3dXY, Ising, Potts com 3 estados e até mesmo uma transição descontínua. / Although in a two-dimensional system with continuous symmetry there is no long-range order at finite temperature, the 2D XY model exhibits an unusual infinite order phase transition, associated with the unbinding of topological defects called integer-vortices, which belongs to the Kosterlitz-Thouless (KT) universality class. The three dimensional XY model exhibits a ferromagnetic long-range order at low temperatures and goes to the disordered state through a usual ferromagnetic transition. Generalizations of the XY model, including competition between a ferromagnetic and a nematic-like term, have been introduced and studied by many autors. These nematic-like interactions create new phase transitions and new topologial defects, like half-integer-vortices. In this work, for particular cases of these generalized models, we explore the universality classes of the transitions and the phase diagrams in two and three dimensions through Monte Carlo simulations using clusters algorithms on GPUs, finite size scaling and helicity analysis. In particular, we find that the competition between the ferromagnetic and nematic terms gives origin to new transition lines that can belong to a wide spectrum of classes, ranging from Kosterlitz-Thouless, 3dXY, Ising, 3 states Potts and even a discontinuous transition.

Embora em um sistema bidimensional com simetria contínua não haja ordem de longo alcance para temperaturas finitas, o modelo XY 2D exibe uma transição de fase de ordem infinita não usual, associada com a dissociação de defeitos topológicos chamados de vórtices-inteiros, e que pertence à classe de universalidade de Kosterlitz-Thouless (KT). O modelo XY tridimensional exibe ordem de longo-alcance para baixas temperaturas e, à medida que a temperatura aumenta, passa para o estado desordenado através de uma transição ferromagnética usual. Generalizações do modelo XY, incluindo competição entre um termo ferromagnético e um nemático, foram introduzidas e estudadas por diversos autores. Essas interações nemáticas criam novas transições de fases e novos defeitos topológicos, como vórtices semi-inteiros. Neste trabalho, para casos particulares desses modelos generalizados, exploramos as classes de universalidade e os diagramas de fases em duas e três dimensões através de simulações de Monte Carlo usando algoritmos de cluster em GPUs, escalonamento de tamanhos finitos e análise da helicidade. Em particular, encontramos que a competição entre os termos ferromagnético e nemático dá origem a novas linhas de transição que podem pertencer a uma ampla gama de classes, desde a Kosterlitz-Thouless, 3dXY, Ising, Potts com 3 estados e até mesmo uma transição descontínua. / Although in a two-dimensional system with continuous symmetry there is no long-range order at finite temperature, the 2D XY model exhibits an unusual infinite order phase transition, associated with the unbinding of topological defects called integer-vortices, which belongs to the Kosterlitz-Thouless (KT) universality class. The three dimensional XY model exhibits a ferromagnetic long-range order at low temperatures and goes to the disordered state through a usual ferromagnetic transition. Generalizations of the XY model, including competition between a ferromagnetic and a nematic-like term, have been introduced and studied by many autors. These nematic-like interactions create new phase transitions and new topologial defects, like half-integer-vortices. In this work, for particular cases of these generalized models, we explore the universality classes of the transitions and the phase diagrams in two and three dimensions through Monte Carlo simulations using clusters algorithms on GPUs, finite size scaling and helicity analysis. In particular, we find that the competition between the ferromagnetic and nematic terms gives origin to new transition lines that can belong to a wide spectrum of classes, ranging from Kosterlitz-Thouless, 3dXY, Ising, 3 states Potts and even a discontinuous transition.

No description available.

Ce manuscrit présente une étude expérimentale d'un gaz de 87Rb ultra-froid confiné à deux dimensions et en présence de désordre. Dans une première partie, nous mettons en place les outils expérimentaux développés pour manipuler les gaz confinés. Après un état de l'art sur l'apport de la communauté des atomes froids aux gaz de Bose 2D, nous détaillons notre expérience, en l'absence de désordre, qui par une comparaison fine avec des simulations Monte-Carlo quantique et grâce à une thermométrie en temps de vol très précise, a permis de quantifier l'apparition de la cohérence autour la transition de phase superfluide Berzinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless (BKT). La seconde partie est dédiée à l'effet d'un potentiel désordonné généré optiquement et corrélé microscopiquement sur les propriétés de transport et de cohérence du gaz 2D en interaction. Cette partie suit la progression de l'expérience du régime de transport classique, dans lequel nous avons mesuré la dépendance du coefficient de diffusion classique en fonction de l'énergie de la particule, jusqu'au transport quantique, que nous avons atteint grâce à une ultime méthode de ralentissement. Sur la route entre ces deux régimes, nous observons un décalage vers les faibles entropies de l'établissement de la cohérence autour de la transition BKT provoqué par l'ajout adiabatique d'une quantité modérée de désordre ainsi que sa suppression pour un désordre de l'ordre de la température du nuage. Ce travail est une étape vers une étude expérimentale de la transition quantique vers le verre de Bose mettant en jeu à la fois désordre et interactions. / This manuscript shows an experimental study of a disordered ultra-cold 87Rb gas confined in two dimensions.In the first part, we set up the experimental tools used to manipulate the confined gases. After a state of the art in ultracold 2D Bose gases, we describe our disorder-free experiment from which, by a comparison with quantum Monte-Carlo calculations and thanks to an accurate time-of-flight thermometry, we are able to quantify the emergence of coherence around the Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless superfluid phase transition. The second part is devoted to the effect of a micrometer-range optically generated disordered potential on the transport and coherence properties of the interacting 2D gas. This part follows the experimental road from the regime of classical transport, in which we have measured the energy dependence of the classical diffusion coefficient, to the regime of quantum transport we have just reached thanks to a last cooling step. On the road between those two regimes, we observe a shift towards lower entropy of the emergence of coherence close to the BKT transition as a response of an adiabatic addition of a moderate amount of disorder. It is strongly suppressed for an amount of disorder of the order of the cloud temperature. This work is a first step to an experimental study of the quantum transition to the Bose-Glass phase involving disorder and interaction.

Embora em um sistema bidimensional com simetria contínua não haja ordem de longo alcance para temperaturas finitas, o modelo XY 2D exibe uma transição de fase de ordem infinita não usual, associada com a dissociação de defeitos topológicos chamados de vórtices-inteiros, e que pertence `a classe de universalidade de Kosterlitz-Thouless (KT). Generalizações do modelo XY, incluindo competição entre um termo ferromagnético e um nemático, foram introduzidas e largamente estudadas por diversos autores. Essas interações nemáticas criam novas transições de fases e novos defeitos topológicos, como vórtices semi-inteiros. Neste trabalho, para um caso particular desses modelos generalizados, exploramos as classes de universalidades e o diagrama de fases através de simulações de Monte Carlo, escalonamento de tamanhos finitos e análise da helicidade. Em particular, encontramos que a competição entre os termos ferromagnético e nemático d´a origem a uma nova linha de transição, neste caso na classe de universalidade do modelo Potts com 3 estados. / Although in a two-dimensional system with continuous symmetry there is no long-range order at finite temperature, the 2D XY model exhibits an unusual infinite order phase transition, associated with the unbinding of topological defects called integer-vortices, and which belongs to the Kosterlitz-Thouless (KT) universality class. Generalizations of the XY model, including competition between a ferromagnetic and a nematiclike term, have been introduced and widely studied by many autors. These nematic-like interactions create new phase transitions and new topologial defects, like half-integer-vortices. In this work, for a particular case of these generalized models, we explore the universality classes of the transitions and the phase diagram through Monte Carlo simulations, finite size scaling and helicity analysis. In particular, we find that the competition between the ferromagnetic and nematic terms gives origin to a new transition line belonging, in this case, to the 3 states Potts universality class.

Embora em um sistema bidimensional com simetria contínua não haja ordem de longo alcance para temperaturas finitas, o modelo XY 2D exibe uma transição de fase de ordem infinita não usual, associada com a dissociação de defeitos topológicos chamados de vórtices-inteiros, e que pertence `a classe de universalidade de Kosterlitz-Thouless (KT). Generalizações do modelo XY, incluindo competição entre um termo ferromagnético e um nemático, foram introduzidas e largamente estudadas por diversos autores. Essas interações nemáticas criam novas transições de fases e novos defeitos topológicos, como vórtices semi-inteiros. Neste trabalho, para um caso particular desses modelos generalizados, exploramos as classes de universalidades e o diagrama de fases através de simulações de Monte Carlo, escalonamento de tamanhos finitos e análise da helicidade. Em particular, encontramos que a competição entre os termos ferromagnético e nemático d´a origem a uma nova linha de transição, neste caso na classe de universalidade do modelo Potts com 3 estados. / Although in a two-dimensional system with continuous symmetry there is no long-range order at finite temperature, the 2D XY model exhibits an unusual infinite order phase transition, associated with the unbinding of topological defects called integer-vortices, and which belongs to the Kosterlitz-Thouless (KT) universality class. Generalizations of the XY model, including competition between a ferromagnetic and a nematiclike term, have been introduced and widely studied by many autors. These nematic-like interactions create new phase transitions and new topologial defects, like half-integer-vortices. In this work, for a particular case of these generalized models, we explore the universality classes of the transitions and the phase diagram through Monte Carlo simulations, finite size scaling and helicity analysis. In particular, we find that the competition between the ferromagnetic and nematic terms gives origin to a new transition line belonging, in this case, to the 3 states Potts universality class.

Embora em um sistema bidimensional com simetria contínua não haja ordem de longo alcance para temperaturas finitas, o modelo XY 2D exibe uma transição de fase de ordem infinita não usual, associada com a dissociação de defeitos topológicos chamados de vórtices-inteiros, e que pertence `a classe de universalidade de Kosterlitz-Thouless (KT). Generalizações do modelo XY, incluindo competição entre um termo ferromagnético e um nemático, foram introduzidas e largamente estudadas por diversos autores. Essas interações nemáticas criam novas transições de fases e novos defeitos topológicos, como vórtices semi-inteiros. Neste trabalho, para um caso particular desses modelos generalizados, exploramos as classes de universalidades e o diagrama de fases através de simulações de Monte Carlo, escalonamento de tamanhos finitos e análise da helicidade. Em particular, encontramos que a competição entre os termos ferromagnético e nemático d´a origem a uma nova linha de transição, neste caso na classe de universalidade do modelo Potts com 3 estados. / Although in a two-dimensional system with continuous symmetry there is no long-range order at finite temperature, the 2D XY model exhibits an unusual infinite order phase transition, associated with the unbinding of topological defects called integer-vortices, and which belongs to the Kosterlitz-Thouless (KT) universality class. Generalizations of the XY model, including competition between a ferromagnetic and a nematiclike term, have been introduced and widely studied by many autors. These nematic-like interactions create new phase transitions and new topologial defects, like half-integer-vortices. In this work, for a particular case of these generalized models, we explore the universality classes of the transitions and the phase diagram through Monte Carlo simulations, finite size scaling and helicity analysis. In particular, we find that the competition between the ferromagnetic and nematic terms gives origin to a new transition line belonging, in this case, to the 3 states Potts universality class.