Peak effect in CeRu$_2$:history dependence and supercooling

Abstract

We present experimental results on single crystal CeRu$_2$ showing that the extent of history dependence of peak-effect depends on the path followed in the space of field (H) and temperature (T). The (H,T) regime over which history effect is observed is larger if the vortex lattice is prepared by lowering T from above T$_C$ in constant H i.e. by field cooling. We compare this history effect with the very recently reported history dependence of peak-effect in detwinned single crystals of YBaCuO, highlighting the similarities and differences. We discuss the possibility of a first order vortex solid-solid transition in CeRu$_2$ within the realm of recent theoretical developments in the field of vortex matter.

21 pages, 5 figures; submitted to Phys. Rev. B on 9th Feb. 2000