Magnetic pinning by spherical defects in anisotropic superconductors

The magnetic interaction between a curved vortex line and a spherical defect is studied for a high-temperature superconductor. The magnetic field distribution together with the pinning force, between the vortex and the defect, are calculated. The effect of the non-superconductive defect size on both the magnetic pinning force and the critical current density is examined. The previous results are reproduced in the isotropic limits. (orig.)