SANS study of vortex lattice structural transition in optimally doped (Ba_1-xK_x)Fe₂As₂

Small-angle neutron scattering on high quality single crystalline Ba_1-xK_xFe₂As₂ reveals the transition from a low-field vortex solid phase with orientational order to a vortex polycrystal at high magnetic field. The vortex order-disorder transition is correlated with the second-peak feature in isothermal hysteresis loops, and is interpreted in terms of the generation of supplementary vortex solid dislocations. The sharp drop of the structure factor above the second peak field is explained by the dynamics of freezing of the vortex ensemble in the high field phase.