Study of novel configuration of columnar defects in the high temperature superconductor YBa$_{2}$Cu$_{3}$O$_{7}$

Columnar defects have proven to be highly effective at pinning vortices in high temperature superconductors. However, most studies have been performed with the defects oriented either \textit{perpendicular} or at large angles relative to the superconducting Cu-O planes. Our study is novel due to the introduction of defects \textit{parallel} to the superconducting planes. We will discuss the effect of the defects on the vortex pinning anisotropy of the YBa$_{2}$Cu$_{3}$O$_{7-\delta }$ single crystals.