Transition between layered and filamentary types of anisotropy in layered superconducting structures

A model of layered superconducting structure consisting of alternating anisotropic superconducting layers S₁ and S₂ with different transition temperatures is considered. It is shown that due to competition between two origins of anisotropy - effective-mass anisotropy of individual layers and proximity-induced anisotropy the effective anisotropy of the whole system signficiantly varies temperature. The components of the effective-mass tensor m_c (along the anisotropy axis) and m_a (perpendicular to the anisotropy axis) strongly depend upon temperature. This may lead to transition between layered (m_c > m_a) and quasi one-dimensional (m_c < m_a) types of anisotropy as well as to biaxial-type anisotropy which is also temperature dependent. The field distribution in a tilted vortex in a biaxial superconductor is calculated. The change in the properties of the vortex lattice with temperature in such systems is also investigated. The properties of YBa₂Cu₃O_x/PrBa₂Cu₃O_y multilayers are discussed in this connection.