Reply to "Comment on 'Observation of vortex-lattice melting in YBa2Cu3O7-delta by Seebeck-effect measurements'"

The rapid rise in the Seebeck effect that we observed in single crystals of YBCO in the mixed state was interpreted by us [H. Ghamlouch, M. Aubin, R. Gagnon, and L. Taillefer, Phys. Rev. B 54, 9070 (1996)] as a manifestation of vortex-lattice melting. We maintain this interpretation despite the skep ticism of the Comment [M. Ausloos, H. Bougrine, M. Houssa, and M. Pekala, P hys. Rev. B, preceding paper] who suggest that percolation or even experime ntal artifacts may be responsible. We point out the studies on various type s of YBCO single crystals studied by our technique which all yielded plausi ble results. Recalling the resistivity measurements of Fendrich er al. we a rgue that percolation, if relevant in our measurements would only exist ove r similar to 160 mK and would be hidden in the observed transition. We also present as yet unpublished Nernst effect results as suggested by Ausloos e t al. which corroborate our earlier interpretation. [S0163-1829(99)04202-2] .