Effects of static disorder on vortex phases and dynamics of type-II superconductors — a scaling approach

The effects of static disorder on the vortex phases and dynamics of high-temperature and conventional amorphous superconductors are investigated with various experimental techniques from DC to microwave frequencies. It is found that the interaction between vortices and static defects results in symmetry-breaking and slower critical dynamics upon increasing disorder. Experimental evidence for second-order vortex-glass, Bose-glass and splayed-glass transitions are manifested by critical scaling of various physical quantities near the phase transitions via measurements of AC and DC transport properties, AC magnetic susceptibility, AC third-harmonic transmissivity, and microwave surface resistance. Effects of disorder on the Hall conductivity in the vortex-liquid state are also discussed.