Low-temperature vortex dynamics in (Bi,Pb)2212 single crystals with columnar defects aligned at 45° to the c-axis

Abstract

The focus of the present report is the comparison of pinning properties between a Bi 1.8Pb 0.2Sr 2CaCu 2O 8+ δ single crystal irradiated at 45° and the one irradiated along c-axis. At temperatures T⩾40 K, and in the vortex solid state, angular measurements reveal for both samples a pronounced dip in the dissipation when a magnetic field is applied parallel to the tracks. In contrast, at low temperature the dip shifts from inclined columnar defects towards the c-axis direction. The dip shift observed with decreasing T can be associated to a partially pinned staircase vortex structure.