Vortex-Lattice Phase Transitions inBi2Sr2CaCu2O8Crystals with Different Oxygen Stoichiometry

Abstract
The vortex-lattice phase transitions in Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8 crystals with various oxygen stoichiometry are studied using local magnetization measurements. Three new findings are reported: The first-order phase transition line at elevated temperatures shifts upward for more isotropic overdoped samples. At lower temperatures another sharp transition is observed that results in enhanced bulk pinning in the second magnetization peak region. The two lines merge at a multicritical point at intermediate temperatures forming apparently a continuous phase transition line that is anisotropy dependent.