Vortex-Loop Unbinding and Flux-Line Lattice Melting in Superconductors

We study the interplay between a novel vortex-loop unbinding in finite magnetic field at T=T_V and flux-line lattice (FLL) melting at T=T_M in type-II superconductors. The FLL melts due to nucleation of vortex loops parallel to c-axis, connected to flux lines. For moderate anisotropy, phase coherence along c-axis is lost at T_V > T_M due to an ab-plane vortex-loop unbinding with loops located close to thermal FLL fluctuations. For large anisotropy, phase coherence along c-axis is lost at T_V < T_M due to nucleation of ab-plane vortex-loops uncorrelated to flux lines.