Evidence for supercooling across a vortex-matter phase transition: studies on CeRu₂ and Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O₈

Abstract

We present DC magnetization data indicating a first-order phase transition in the vortex state of CeRu₂, with the higher entropy phase exhibiting enhanced pinning. Minor hysteresis loops show evidence of supercooling of the higher entropy phase as the phase boundary is crossed both isothermally as well as at constant field. These features are shown to be absent across the Bragg-glass to vortex-glass transition in Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O₈. The supercooling is more persistent in the constant field case.