Evolution of the vortex phase diagram inYBa2Cu3O7−δwith random point disorder

Abstract

We demonstrate the gradual evolution of the first-order vortex melting transition into a continuous transition with the systematic addition of point disorder induced by proton irradiation. The evolution occurs via the decrease of the upper critical point and the increase of the lower critical point. The collapse of the first-order melting transition occurs when the two critical points merge. We compare these results with the effects of electron irradiation on the first-order transition.