Topological relaxation of entangled flux lattices: single versus collective line dynamics

Phys Rev Lett. 2001 Oct 8;87(15):150602. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.87.150602.

Abstract

A symbolic language allowing one to solve statistical problems for the systems with non-Abelian braidlike topology in 2 + 1 dimensions is developed. The approach is based on the similarity between a growing braid and a "heap of colored pieces." As an application, the problem of a vortex glass transition in high-Tc superconductors is reexamined on a microscopic level.