Oscillatory dynamics and organization of the vortex solid in YBa2Cu3O7 single crystals

We report on the degree of order of the vortex solid in YBa2Cu3O7 single crystals observed in ac susceptibility measurements. We show that when vortices are shaken by a temporarily symmetric ac field they are driven into an easy-to-move, ordered structure but, on the contrary, when the ac field is temporarily asymmetric, they are driven into a more pinned disordered state. This is characteristic of tearing of the vortex lattice and shows that ordering due to symmetric ac fields is essentially different from an equilibration process or a dynamical crystallization that is expected to occur at high driving currents.