Superconducting vortex dynamics and critical current in mixed pinning landscapes*

The transport properties of type-II superconductors are mostly determined by the dynamics of magnetic flux lines (vortices) threading the system and the material's capability to stop their motion. We provide clear evidence that antagonistic spherical and columnar defects can work hand in hand to provide an optimal pinning landscape for tilted magnetic fields. This establishes a new paradigm of mixed pinning optimization, where the search for optimal vortex pinning must span over a range of defect geometries, sizes, and orientations.