Vortex Lattice in Bi_{2}Sr_{2}CaCu_{2}O_{8+δ} Well Above the First-Order Phase-Transition Boundary

Abstract

Measurements of non-local in-plane resistance originating from transverse vortex-vortex correlations have been performed on a Bi_{2}Sr_{2}CaCu_{2}O_{8+δ} high-T_c superconductor in a magnetic field up to 9 T applied along the crystal c-axis. Our results demonstrate that a rigid vortex lattice does exist over a broad portion of the magnetic field -- temperature (H-T) phase diagram, well above the first-order transition boundary H_{FOT}(T). The results also provide evidence for the vortex lattice melting and vortex liquid decoupling phase transitions, occurring above the H_{FOT}(T).