Effect of 5.3-GeV Pb-ion irradiation on irreversible magnetization in Y-Ba-Cu-O crystals

We report a dramatic change in the irreversibility line of Y-Ba-Cu-O crystals after irradiation with Pb ions. Near the transition temperature, following irradiation, the irreversibility temperature increases and the curvature of the irreversibility line changes sign. These changes are accompanied by a strong enhancement of critical current density and a decrease in flux creep rate. Pb irradiation induces damage in the form of amorphous tracks which penetrate throughout the thickness of the sample. We maintain that these defects are most efficient in terms of flux trapping and are responsible for the observed changes in irreversible magnetic features in the irradiated sample.