GROUND-STATE PROPERTIES OF FLUXLINES IN A DISORDERED ENVIRONMENT

A new numerical method to calculate exact ground states of multifluxli ne systems with quenched disorder is presented, which is based on the minimum cost flow algorithm from combinatorial optimization. We discus s several models that can be studied with this method including their specific implementations, physically relevant observables and results: (1) The N-line model with N fluxlines (or directed polymers) in a d-d imensional environment with point and/or columnar disorder and hard or soft-core repulsion; (2) the vortex glass model for a disordered supe rconductor in the strong screening limit; and (3) the sine-Gordon mode l with random pase shifts in the strong coupling limit. [S0031-9007(98 )07658-3].