VORTEX FLUCTUATIONS IN JOSEPHSON-COUPLED SUPERCONDUCTORS

The effect of thermal and quantum fluctuations of vortices on the ther modynamics and dynamics of the mixed state in highly anisotropic layer ed superconductors is considered. For a reversible magnetization M, a crossing point of the M(T) curves near T(c) for different B and a chan ge of slope in the M vs In B curves at low T are obtained. The specifi c heat due to the vortex fluctuation contribution is predicted to be l inear in T at low T. The contribution of vortex fluctuations to the NM R relaxation rate is found to be linear in T at low T with frequency d ependence is-proportional-to 1/omega at high frequencies omega. The ef fect of vortex fluctuations on the interlayer critical current is disc ussed.