Vortex nanoliquid in high-temperature superconductors

Abstract

Using a differential magneto-optical technique to visualize flow of transport currents, we reveal a new delocalization line within the reversible vortex liquid region in the presence of a low density of columnar defects. This line separates a homogeneous vortex liquid, in which all the vortices are delocalized, from a heterogeneous "nanoliquid" phase, in which interconnected nanodroplets of vortex liquid are caged in the pores of a solid skeleton formed by vortices pinned on columnar defects. The nanoliquid phase displays high correlation along the columnar defects but no transverse critical current.Comment: Paper accepted in Physical Review Letters. 5 pages text with 4 figure