Vortex-chain states and critical currents in anisotropic high-Tc superconductors

The vortex state in an anisotropic superconductor with a magnetic field tilted with respect to the ab plane is considered. Vortices are shown to form a chain structure with large intrachain vortex density and large interchain distance. The shear energy when one chain shifts relative to the others is decreased in this state. This leads to an increase of the effective pinning force and of the critical depinning current. A qualitative comparison is given between theory and experimental data on the dependence of critical current on the tilt angle. © 1991 The American Physical Society.

VIVO