Structure of an Elastic Lattice Pinned by Hopping Defects

The translational order in a three-dimensional lattice pinned by hopping defects is studied. It is suggested that the equilibrium state of the lattice crosses from a glass to a crystal on the rate of hopping. It is argued that such a transition may exist in flux lattices of hightemperature superconductors due to the hopping of oxygen. PACS. 74.60.Ge Flux pinning, flux creep, and flux lattice dynamics. PACS. 05.20.-y Statistical mechanics. It is known that below four dimensions the translational order in a lattice subject to a static random background (pinning) is destroyed by a however weak interaction with the background [1, 2, 3, 4]. This fact has received much attention mostly in connection with pinning of flux lattices in superconductors, where translational correlations determine such important quantities as the