Monte Carlo study of vortex-line-lattice melting

Abstract
Results of extensive Monte Carlo simulations of a lattice London model showing vortex-line-lattice melting below Tc into a vortex liquid state are reported. The melting line is obtained as a function of the anisotropy parameter. The nature of thermal fluctuations and correlations in the vortex-liquid phase is investigated in detail. We find that for strong anisotropy the vortex liquid behaves as a nearly two-dimensional point-vortex liquid. For weak anisotropy we find evidence that in the vortex-liquid phase the vortex lines are disentangled, if the vortex lines are short, and entangled if they are long.