Topological Order in the Phase Diagram for High-Temperature Superconductors with Point Defects

Abstract

Applying a Lindemann-like criterion obtained previously by Kierfeld, Nattermann and Hwa [Phys. Rev. B 55, 626 (1997)], we estimate the magnetic field and temperature for a high-$T_c$ superconductor, at which a topologically ordered vortex glass phase becomes unstable with respect to a disorder-induced formation of dislocations. The employed criterion is shown to be equivalent to a conventional phenomenological Lindemann criterion including the values for the numerical factors, i.e., for the Lindemann-number. The positional correlation length of the topologically ordered vortex glass is calculated.