Enhanced critical current densities in (Bi, Pb)(2)Sr2Ca2Cu3O10 silver-sheathed tapes by splayed columnar defects after 600 MeV proton irradiation

Splayed columnar defects are efficient pinning centers for magnetic vortices in High-T-c Superconductors. Irradiation with 000 MeV protons as primary projectiles generates heavy fission fragments in (Bi, Pb)(2)Sr2Ca2Cu3O10 via a p-Bi nuclear reaction. The high-Z secondary projectiles are sufficiently energetic to create randomly oriented columnar defects with important effects on the magnetic and transport critical current densities of (Bi, Pb)(2)Sr2Ca2Cu3O10 Ag-sheathed tapes. These effects are discussed on the basis of the splayed defect topology.