Dynamical ordering in the c-axis in 3D driven vortex lattices

Abstract

We present molecular dynamics simulations of driven vortices in layered superconductors in the presence of an external homogeneous force and point disorder. We use a model introduced by J.R.Clem for describing 3D vortex lines as stacks of 2D pancake vortices where only magnetic interactions are considered and the Josephson interlayer coupling is neglected. We numerically evaluate the long-range magnetic interaction between pancake vortices exactly. We analyze the vortex correlation along the field direction on (c-axis). We find that above the critical current, in the ``plastic flow'' regime, pancakes are completely uncorrelated in the c-direction. When increasing the current, there is an onset of correlation along the c-axis at the transition from plastic flow to a moving smectic phase. This transition coincides with the peak in the differential resistance.