A path to high-field performance of cuprate superconductors above 100 K with fission induced defects

We demonstrate a method by which we expand the useful range of cuprate superconductors to above 100 K and enhance persistent currents by orders of magnitude in fields of several Tesla - namely fission of Hg nuclei within Hg-cuprates with 0.8 GeV protons. The fission process allows "doping" these cuprates with strongly pinning splayed columnar defects. The technique could be technologically relevant, since it is not limited by the short penetration range of heavier particles (or ions) and could permit modification of larger superconducting objects, such as magnets.