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Liu F, Itahashi YM, Aoki S, Dong Y, Wang Z, Ogawa N, Ideue T, Iwasa Y. Superconducting diode effect under time-reversal symmetry. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eado1502. [PMID: 39083606 PMCID: PMC11290479 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ado1502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
In noncentrosymmetric superconductors, superconducting and normal conductions can interchange on the basis of the current flow direction. This effect is termed a superconducting diode effect (SDE), which is a focal point of recent research. The broken inversion and time-reversal symmetry is believed to be the requirements of SDE, but their intrinsic role has remained elusive. Here, we report strain-controlled SDEs in a layered trigonal superconductor, PbTaSe2. The SDE was found exclusively in a strained device with its absence in an unstrained device despite that it is allowed in unstrained trigonal structure. Moreover, the zero-field or magnetic field-even (magnetic field-odd) SDE is observed when the strain and current are along armchair (zigzag) direction The results unambiguously demonstrate the intrinsic SDE under time-reversal symmetry and the critical role of strain-induced electric polarization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengshuo Liu
- Quantum-Phase Electronics Center (QPEC) and Department of Applied Physics, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
- Department of Physics, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Yuki M. Itahashi
- Quantum-Phase Electronics Center (QPEC) and Department of Applied Physics, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Shunta Aoki
- Quantum-Phase Electronics Center (QPEC) and Department of Applied Physics, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Yu Dong
- Quantum-Phase Electronics Center (QPEC) and Department of Applied Physics, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Ziqian Wang
- RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science (CEMS), Wako 351-0198, Japan
| | - Naoki Ogawa
- RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science (CEMS), Wako 351-0198, Japan
| | - Toshiya Ideue
- Institute for Solid State Physics, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa 277-8581, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Iwasa
- Quantum-Phase Electronics Center (QPEC) and Department of Applied Physics, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
- RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science (CEMS), Wako 351-0198, Japan
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2
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Xiong J, Xie J, Cheng B, Dai Y, Cui X, Wang L, Liu Z, Zhou J, Wang N, Xu X, Chen X, Cheong SW, Liang SJ, Miao F. Electrical switching of Ising-superconducting nonreciprocity for quantum neuronal transistor. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4953. [PMID: 38858363 PMCID: PMC11164936 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48882-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Nonreciprocal quantum transport effect is mainly governed by the symmetry breaking of the material systems and is gaining extensive attention in condensed matter physics. Realizing electrical switching of the polarity of the nonreciprocal transport without external magnetic field is essential to the development of nonreciprocal quantum devices. However, electrical switching of superconducting nonreciprocity remains yet to be achieved. Here, we report the observation of field-free electrical switching of nonreciprocal Ising superconductivity in Fe3GeTe2/NbSe2 van der Waals (vdW) heterostructure. By taking advantage of this electrically switchable superconducting nonreciprocity, we demonstrate a proof-of-concept nonreciprocal quantum neuronal transistor, which allows for implementing the XOR logic gate and faithfully emulating biological functionality of a cortical neuron in the brain. Our work provides a promising pathway to realize field-free and electrically switchable nonreciprocity of quantum transport and demonstrate its potential in exploring neuromorphic quantum devices with both functionality and performance beyond the traditional devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junlin Xiong
- Institute of Brain-Inspired Intelligence, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, School of Physics, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, 210093, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiao Xie
- Institute of Brain-Inspired Intelligence, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, School of Physics, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, 210093, Nanjing, China
| | - Bin Cheng
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Physical Sciences, School of Science, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, 210094, Nanjing, China.
| | - Yudi Dai
- Institute of Brain-Inspired Intelligence, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, School of Physics, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, 210093, Nanjing, China
| | - Xinyu Cui
- Institute of Brain-Inspired Intelligence, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, School of Physics, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, 210093, Nanjing, China
| | - Lizheng Wang
- Institute of Brain-Inspired Intelligence, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, School of Physics, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, 210093, Nanjing, China
| | - Zenglin Liu
- Institute of Brain-Inspired Intelligence, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, School of Physics, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, 210093, Nanjing, China
| | - Ji Zhou
- Institute of Brain-Inspired Intelligence, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, School of Physics, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, 210093, Nanjing, China
| | - Naizhou Wang
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Science at Microscale and Department of Physics and Key Laboratory of Strongly Coupled Quantum Matter Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, 230026, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Xianghan Xu
- Center for Quantum Materials Synthesis and Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
| | - Xianhui Chen
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Science at Microscale and Department of Physics and Key Laboratory of Strongly Coupled Quantum Matter Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, 230026, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Sang-Wook Cheong
- Center for Quantum Materials Synthesis and Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
| | - Shi-Jun Liang
- Institute of Brain-Inspired Intelligence, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, School of Physics, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, 210093, Nanjing, China.
| | - Feng Miao
- Institute of Brain-Inspired Intelligence, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, School of Physics, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, 210093, Nanjing, China.
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3
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Mao Y, Yan Q, Zhuang YC, Sun QF. Universal Spin Superconducting Diode Effect from Spin-Orbit Coupling. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2024; 132:216001. [PMID: 38856265 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.132.216001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
We propose a universal spin superconducting diode effect (SDE) induced by spin-orbit coupling (SOC) in systems with spin-triplet correlations, where the critical spin supercurrents in opposite directions are unequal. By analysis from both the Ginzburg-Landau theory and energy band analysis, we show that the spin-↑↑ and spin-↓↓ Cooper pairs possess opposite phase gradients and opposite momenta from the SOC, which leads to the spin SDE. Two superconductors with SOC, a p-wave superconductor as a toy model and a practical superconducting nanowire, are numerically studied and they both exhibit spin SDE. In addition, our theory also provides a unified picture for both spin and charge SDEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Mao
- International Center for Quantum Materials, School of Physics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Qing Yan
- International Center for Quantum Materials, School of Physics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yu-Chen Zhuang
- International Center for Quantum Materials, School of Physics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Qing-Feng Sun
- International Center for Quantum Materials, School of Physics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Hefei National Laboratory, Hefei 230088, China
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4
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Reinhardt S, Ascherl T, Costa A, Berger J, Gronin S, Gardner GC, Lindemann T, Manfra MJ, Fabian J, Kochan D, Strunk C, Paradiso N. Link between supercurrent diode and anomalous Josephson effect revealed by gate-controlled interferometry. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4413. [PMID: 38782910 PMCID: PMC11116472 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48741-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
In Josephson diodes the asymmetry between positive and negative current branch of the current-phase relation leads to a polarity-dependent critical current and Josephson inductance. The supercurrent nonreciprocity can be described as a consequence of the anomalous Josephson effect -a φ0-shift of the current-phase relation- in multichannel ballistic junctions with strong spin-orbit interaction. In this work, we simultaneously investigate φ0-shift and supercurrent diode efficiency on the same Josephson junction by means of a superconducting quantum interferometer. By electrostatic gating, we reveal a direct link between φ0-shift and diode effect. Our findings show that spin-orbit interaction in combination with a Zeeman field plays an important role in determining the magnetochiral anisotropy and the supercurrent diode effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Reinhardt
- Institut für Experimentelle und Angewandte Physik, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - T Ascherl
- Institut für Experimentelle und Angewandte Physik, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - A Costa
- Institut für Theoretische Physik, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - J Berger
- Institut für Experimentelle und Angewandte Physik, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - S Gronin
- Birck Nanotechnology Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - G C Gardner
- Birck Nanotechnology Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - T Lindemann
- Birck Nanotechnology Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - M J Manfra
- Birck Nanotechnology Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
- School of Materials Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
- Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - J Fabian
- Institut für Theoretische Physik, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - D Kochan
- Institut für Theoretische Physik, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Institute of Physics, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
- Center for Quantum Frontiers of Research and Technology (QFort), National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - C Strunk
- Institut für Experimentelle und Angewandte Physik, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - N Paradiso
- Institut für Experimentelle und Angewandte Physik, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
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5
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Ghosh S, Patil V, Basu A, Kuldeep, Dutta A, Jangade DA, Kulkarni R, Thamizhavel A, Steiner JF, von Oppen F, Deshmukh MM. High-temperature Josephson diode. NATURE MATERIALS 2024; 23:612-618. [PMID: 38321240 DOI: 10.1038/s41563-024-01804-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
Many superconducting systems with broken time-reversal and inversion symmetry show a superconducting diode effect, a non-reciprocal phenomenon analogous to semiconducting p-n-junction diodes. While the superconducting diode effect lays the foundation for realizing ultralow dissipative circuits, Josephson-phenomena-based diode effect (JDE) can enable the realization of protected qubits. The superconducting diode effect and JDE reported thus far are at low temperatures (~4 K), limiting their applications. Here we demonstrate JDE persisting up to 77 K using an artificial Josephson junction of twisted layers of Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ. JDE manifests as an asymmetry in the magnitude and distributions of switching currents, attaining the maximum at 45° twist. The asymmetry is induced by and tunable with a very small magnetic field applied perpendicular to the junction and arises due to interaction between Josephson and Abrikosov vortices. We report a large asymmetry of 60% at 20 K. Our results provide a path towards realizing superconducting Josephson circuits at liquid-nitrogen temperature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanat Ghosh
- Department of Condensed Matter Physics and Materials Science, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai, India.
| | - Vilas Patil
- Department of Condensed Matter Physics and Materials Science, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai, India
| | - Amit Basu
- Department of Condensed Matter Physics and Materials Science, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai, India
| | - Kuldeep
- Department of Condensed Matter Physics and Materials Science, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai, India
| | - Achintya Dutta
- Department of Condensed Matter Physics and Materials Science, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai, India
| | - Digambar A Jangade
- Department of Condensed Matter Physics and Materials Science, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai, India
| | - Ruta Kulkarni
- Department of Condensed Matter Physics and Materials Science, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai, India
| | - A Thamizhavel
- Department of Condensed Matter Physics and Materials Science, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai, India
| | - Jacob F Steiner
- Dahlem Center for Complex Quantum Systems and Fachbereich Physik, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Felix von Oppen
- Dahlem Center for Complex Quantum Systems and Fachbereich Physik, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mandar M Deshmukh
- Department of Condensed Matter Physics and Materials Science, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai, India.
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6
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Li C, Lyu YY, Yue WC, Huang P, Li H, Li T, Wang CG, Yuan Z, Dong Y, Ma X, Tu X, Tao T, Dong S, He L, Jia X, Sun G, Kang L, Wang H, Peeters FM, Milošević MV, Wu P, Wang YL. Unconventional Superconducting Diode Effects via Antisymmetry and Antisymmetry Breaking. NANO LETTERS 2024; 24:4108-4116. [PMID: 38536003 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c05008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Symmetry breaking plays a pivotal role in unlocking intriguing properties and functionalities in material systems. For example, the breaking of spatial and temporal symmetries leads to a fascinating phenomenon: the superconducting diode effect. However, generating and precisely controlling the superconducting diode effect pose significant challenges. Here, we take a novel route with the deliberate manipulation of magnetic charge potentials to realize unconventional superconducting flux-quantum diode effects. We achieve this through suitably tailored nanoengineered arrays of nanobar magnets on top of a superconducting thin film. We demonstrate the vital roles of inversion antisymmetry and its breaking in evoking unconventional superconducting effects, namely a magnetically symmetric diode effect and an odd-parity magnetotransport effect. These effects are nonvolatilely controllable through in situ magnetization switching of the nanobar magnets. Our findings promote the use of antisymmetry (breaking) for initiating unconventional superconducting properties, paving the way for exciting prospects and innovative functionalities in superconducting electronics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chong Li
- Research Institute of Superconductor Electronics, School of Electronic Science and Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
- Purple Mountain Laboratories, Nanjing 211111, China
| | - Yang-Yang Lyu
- Research Institute of Superconductor Electronics, School of Electronic Science and Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
- Purple Mountain Laboratories, Nanjing 211111, China
| | - Wen-Cheng Yue
- Research Institute of Superconductor Electronics, School of Electronic Science and Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
- Purple Mountain Laboratories, Nanjing 211111, China
| | - Peiyuan Huang
- Research Institute of Superconductor Electronics, School of Electronic Science and Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Haojie Li
- Research Institute of Superconductor Electronics, School of Electronic Science and Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Tianyu Li
- Research Institute of Superconductor Electronics, School of Electronic Science and Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Chen-Guang Wang
- Research Institute of Superconductor Electronics, School of Electronic Science and Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
- Purple Mountain Laboratories, Nanjing 211111, China
| | - Zixiong Yuan
- Research Institute of Superconductor Electronics, School of Electronic Science and Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Ying Dong
- College of Metrology & Measurement Engineering, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Xiaoyu Ma
- Microsoft, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, Washington 98052, United States
| | - Xuecou Tu
- Research Institute of Superconductor Electronics, School of Electronic Science and Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Tao Tao
- National Key Laboratory of Spintronics, Nanjing University, Suzhou 215163, China
| | - Sining Dong
- Research Institute of Superconductor Electronics, School of Electronic Science and Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
- National Key Laboratory of Spintronics, Nanjing University, Suzhou 215163, China
| | - Liang He
- National Key Laboratory of Spintronics, Nanjing University, Suzhou 215163, China
| | - Xiaoqing Jia
- Research Institute of Superconductor Electronics, School of Electronic Science and Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Guozhu Sun
- Research Institute of Superconductor Electronics, School of Electronic Science and Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
- Purple Mountain Laboratories, Nanjing 211111, China
| | - Lin Kang
- Research Institute of Superconductor Electronics, School of Electronic Science and Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Huabing Wang
- Research Institute of Superconductor Electronics, School of Electronic Science and Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
- Purple Mountain Laboratories, Nanjing 211111, China
| | - Francois M Peeters
- Department of Physics, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, B-2020 Antwerp, Belgium
- Departamento de Física, Universidade Federal do Ceará́, Campus do Pici, 60455-900 Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Milorad V Milošević
- Department of Physics, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, B-2020 Antwerp, Belgium
- Instituto de Física, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, Mato Grosso 78060-900, Brazil
| | - Peiheng Wu
- Research Institute of Superconductor Electronics, School of Electronic Science and Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
- Purple Mountain Laboratories, Nanjing 211111, China
| | - Yong-Lei Wang
- Research Institute of Superconductor Electronics, School of Electronic Science and Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
- Purple Mountain Laboratories, Nanjing 211111, China
- National Key Laboratory of Spintronics, Nanjing University, Suzhou 215163, China
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7
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Coraiola M, Svetogorov AE, Haxell DZ, Sabonis D, Hinderling M, Ten Kate SC, Cheah E, Krizek F, Schott R, Wegscheider W, Cuevas JC, Belzig W, Nichele F. Flux-Tunable Josephson Diode Effect in a Hybrid Four-Terminal Josephson Junction. ACS NANO 2024; 18:9221-9231. [PMID: 38488287 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.4c01642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
We investigate the direction-dependent switching current in a flux-tunable four-terminal Josephson junction defined in an InAs/Al two-dimensional heterostructure. The device exhibits the Josephson diode effect with switching currents that depend on the sign of the bias current. The superconducting diode efficiency, reaching a maximum of |η| ≈ 34%, is widely tunable─both in amplitude and sign─as a function of magnetic fluxes and gate voltages. Our observations are supported by a circuit model of three parallel Josephson junctions with nonsinusoidal current-phase relation. With respect to conventional Josephson interferometers, phase-tunable multiterminal Josephson junctions enable large diode efficiencies in structurally symmetric devices, where local magnetic fluxes generated on the chip break both time-reversal and spatial symmetries. Our work presents an approach for developing Josephson diodes with wide-range tunability that do not rely on exotic materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Coraiola
- IBM Research Europe─Zurich, 8803 Rüschlikon, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Erik Cheah
- Laboratory for Solid State Physics, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Filip Krizek
- IBM Research Europe─Zurich, 8803 Rüschlikon, Switzerland
- Laboratory for Solid State Physics, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
- Institute of Physics, Czech Academy of Sciences, 162 00 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Rüdiger Schott
- Laboratory for Solid State Physics, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Werner Wegscheider
- Laboratory for Solid State Physics, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Juan Carlos Cuevas
- Fachbereich Physik, Universität Konstanz, D-78457 Konstanz, Germany
- Departamento de Física Teórica de la Materia Condensada and Condensed Matter Physics Center (IFIMAC), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, E-28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Wolfgang Belzig
- Fachbereich Physik, Universität Konstanz, D-78457 Konstanz, Germany
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8
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Virtanen P, Heikkilä TT. Nonreciprocal Josephson Linear Response. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2024; 132:046002. [PMID: 38335348 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.132.046002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
We consider the finite-frequency response of multiterminal Josephson junctions and show how nonreciprocity in them can show up at linear response, in contrast to the static Josephson diodes featuring nonlinear nonreciprocity. At finite frequencies, the response contains dynamic contributions to the Josephson admittance, featuring the effects of Andreev bound state transitions along with Berry phase effects, and reflecting the breaking of the same symmetries as in Josephson diodes. We show that outside exact Andreev resonances, the junctions feature nonreciprocal reactive response. As a result, the microwave transmission through those systems is nondissipative, and the electromagnetic scattering can approach complete nonreciprocity. Besides providing information about the nature of the weak link energy levels, the nonreciprocity can be utilized to create nondissipative and small-scale on-chip circulators whose operation requires only rather small magnetic fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauli Virtanen
- Department of Physics and Nanoscience Center, University of Jyväskylä, P.O. Box 35 (YFL), FI-40014 University of Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Tero T Heikkilä
- Department of Physics and Nanoscience Center, University of Jyväskylä, P.O. Box 35 (YFL), FI-40014 University of Jyväskylä, Finland
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9
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Zhao SYF, Cui X, Volkov PA, Yoo H, Lee S, Gardener JA, Akey AJ, Engelke R, Ronen Y, Zhong R, Gu G, Plugge S, Tummuru T, Kim M, Franz M, Pixley JH, Poccia N, Kim P. Time-reversal symmetry breaking superconductivity between twisted cuprate superconductors. Science 2023; 382:1422-1427. [PMID: 38060675 DOI: 10.1126/science.abl8371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Twisted interfaces between stacked van der Waals (vdW) cuprate crystals present a platform for engineering superconducting order parameters by adjusting stacking angles. Using a cryogenic assembly technique, we construct twisted vdW Josephson junctions (JJs) at atomically sharp interfaces between Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+x crystals, with quality approaching the limit set by intrinsic JJs. Near 45° twist angle, we observe fractional Shapiro steps and Fraunhofer patterns, consistent with the existence of two degenerate Josephson ground states related by time-reversal symmetry (TRS). By programming the JJ current bias sequence, we controllably break TRS to place the JJ into either of the two ground states, realizing reversible Josephson diodes without external magnetic fields. Our results open a path to engineering topological devices at higher temperatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Y Frank Zhao
- Department of Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Xiaomeng Cui
- Department of Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Pavel A Volkov
- Department of Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
- Center for Materials Theory, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
- Department of Physics, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - Hyobin Yoo
- Department of Physics, Institute of Emergent Materials, Sogang University, Seoul 04107, Korea
| | - Sangmin Lee
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Jules A Gardener
- Center for Nanoscale Systems, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Austin J Akey
- Center for Nanoscale Systems, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Rebecca Engelke
- Department of Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Yuval Ronen
- Department of Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Ruidan Zhong
- Department of Condensed Matter Physics and Materials Science, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973, USA
| | - Genda Gu
- Department of Condensed Matter Physics and Materials Science, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973, USA
| | - Stephan Plugge
- Department of Physics and Astronomy and Stewart Blusson Quantum Matter Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Tarun Tummuru
- Department of Physics and Astronomy and Stewart Blusson Quantum Matter Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Miyoung Kim
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Marcel Franz
- Department of Physics and Astronomy and Stewart Blusson Quantum Matter Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Jedediah H Pixley
- Center for Materials Theory, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Nicola Poccia
- Department of Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
- Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (IFW Dresden), 01069 Dresden, Germany
| | - Philip Kim
- Department of Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
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10
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Banerjee A, Geier M, Rahman MA, Thomas C, Wang T, Manfra MJ, Flensberg K, Marcus CM. Phase Asymmetry of Andreev Spectra from Cooper-Pair Momentum. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2023; 131:196301. [PMID: 38000437 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.131.196301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
In analogy to conventional semiconductor diodes, the Josephson diode exhibits superconducting properties that are asymmetric in applied bias. The effect has been investigated in a number of systems recently, and requires a combination of broken time-reversal and inversion symmetries. We demonstrate a dual of the usual Josephson diode effect, a nonreciprocal response of Andreev bound states to a superconducting phase difference across the normal region of a superconductor-normal-superconductor Josephson junction, fabricated using an epitaxial InAs/Al heterostructure. Phase asymmetry of the subgap Andreev spectrum is absent in the absence of in-plane magnetic field and reaches a maximum at 0.15 T applied in the plane of the junction transverse to the current direction. We interpret the phase diode effect in this system as resulting from finite-momentum Cooper pairing due to orbital coupling to the in-plane magnetic field. At higher magnetic fields, we observe a sign reversal of the diode effect that appears together with a reopening of the spectral gap. Within our model, the sign reversal of the diode effect at higher fields is correlated with a topological phase transition that requires Zeeman and spin-orbit interactions in addition to orbital coupling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek Banerjee
- Center for Quantum Devices, Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 5, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Max Geier
- Center for Quantum Devices, Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 5, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Md Ahnaf Rahman
- Center for Quantum Devices, Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 5, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Candice Thomas
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, and Birck Nanotechnology Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, USA
| | - Tian Wang
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, and Birck Nanotechnology Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, USA
| | - Michael J Manfra
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, and Birck Nanotechnology Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, USA
- School of Materials Engineering, and School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, USA
| | - Karsten Flensberg
- Center for Quantum Devices, Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 5, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Charles M Marcus
- Center for Quantum Devices, Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 5, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
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11
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Costa A, Baumgartner C, Reinhardt S, Berger J, Gronin S, Gardner GC, Lindemann T, Manfra MJ, Fabian J, Kochan D, Paradiso N, Strunk C. Sign reversal of the Josephson inductance magnetochiral anisotropy and 0-π-like transitions in supercurrent diodes. NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY 2023; 18:1266-1272. [PMID: 37430040 DOI: 10.1038/s41565-023-01451-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
The recent discovery of the intrinsic supercurrent diode effect, and its prompt observation in a rich variety of systems, has shown that non-reciprocal supercurrents naturally emerge when both space-inversion and time-inversion symmetries are broken. In Josephson junctions, non-reciprocal supercurrent can be conveniently described in terms of spin-split Andreev states. Here we demonstrate a sign reversal of the Josephson inductance magnetochiral anisotropy, a manifestation of the supercurrent diode effect. The asymmetry of the Josephson inductance as a function of the supercurrent allows us to probe the current-phase relation near equilibrium, and to probe jumps in the junction ground state. Using a minimal theoretical model, we can then link the sign reversal of the inductance magnetochiral anisotropy to the so-called 0-π-like transition, a predicted but still elusive feature of multichannel junctions. Our results demonstrate the potential of inductance measurements as sensitive probes of the fundamental properties of unconventional Josephson junctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Costa
- Institut für Theoretische Physik, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - C Baumgartner
- Institut für Experimentelle und Angewandte Physik, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - S Reinhardt
- Institut für Experimentelle und Angewandte Physik, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - J Berger
- Institut für Experimentelle und Angewandte Physik, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - S Gronin
- Birck Nanotechnology Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - G C Gardner
- Birck Nanotechnology Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - T Lindemann
- Birck Nanotechnology Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - M J Manfra
- Birck Nanotechnology Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
- School of Materials Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
- Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - J Fabian
- Institut für Theoretische Physik, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - D Kochan
- Institut für Theoretische Physik, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Institute of Physics, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - N Paradiso
- Institut für Experimentelle und Angewandte Physik, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
| | - C Strunk
- Institut für Experimentelle und Angewandte Physik, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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12
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Lu B, Ikegaya S, Burset P, Tanaka Y, Nagaosa N. Tunable Josephson Diode Effect on the Surface of Topological Insulators. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2023; 131:096001. [PMID: 37721825 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.131.096001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
The Josephson rectification effect, where the resistance is finite in one direction while zero in the other, has been recently realized experimentally. The resulting Josephson diode has many potential applications on superconducting devices, including quantum computers. Here, we theoretically show that a superconductor-normal metal-superconductor Josephson junction diode on the two-dimensional surface of a topological insulator has large tunability. The magnitude and sign of the diode quality factor strongly depend on the external magnetic field, gate voltage, and the length of the junction. Such rich properties stem from the interplay between different current-phase relations for the multiple transverse transport channels, and can be used for designing realistic superconducting diode devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Lu
- Center for Joint Quantum Studies, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Low Dimensional Materials Physics and Preparing Technology, Department of Physics, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300354, China
| | - Satoshi Ikegaya
- Department of Applied Physics, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
- Institute for Advanced Research, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan
| | - Pablo Burset
- Department of Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics, Condensed Matter Physics Center (IFIMAC) and Instituto Nicolás Cabrera, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Yukio Tanaka
- Department of Applied Physics, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
- Research Center for Crystalline Materials Engineering, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
| | - Naoto Nagaosa
- Center for Emergent Matter Science (CEMS), RIKEN, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
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13
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Hou Y, Nichele F, Chi H, Lodesani A, Wu Y, Ritter MF, Haxell DZ, Davydova M, Ilić S, Glezakou-Elbert O, Varambally A, Bergeret FS, Kamra A, Fu L, Lee PA, Moodera JS. Ubiquitous Superconducting Diode Effect in Superconductor Thin Films. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2023; 131:027001. [PMID: 37505965 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.131.027001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
The macroscopic coherence in superconductors supports dissipationless supercurrents that could play a central role in emerging quantum technologies. Accomplishing unequal supercurrents in the forward and backward directions would enable unprecedented functionalities. This nonreciprocity of critical supercurrents is called the superconducting (SC) diode effect. We demonstrate the strong SC diode effect in conventional SC thin films, such as niobium and vanadium, employing external magnetic fields as small as 1 Oe. Interfacing the SC layer with a ferromagnetic semiconductor EuS, we further accomplish the nonvolatile SC diode effect reaching a giant efficiency of 65%. By careful control experiments and theoretical modeling, we demonstrate that the critical supercurrent nonreciprocity in SC thin films could be easily accomplished with asymmetrical vortex edge and surface barriers and the universal Meissner screening current governing the critical currents. Our engineering of the SC diode effect in simple systems opens the door for novel technologies while revealing the ubiquity of the Meissner screening effect induced SC diode effect in superconducting films, and it should be eliminated with great care in the search for exotic superconducting states harboring finite-momentum Cooper pairing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasen Hou
- Francis Bitter Magnet Laboratory and Plasma Science and Fusion Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - Fabrizio Nichele
- IBM Research Europe - Zurich, Säumerstrasse 4, 8803 Rüschlikon, Switzerland
| | - Hang Chi
- Francis Bitter Magnet Laboratory and Plasma Science and Fusion Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
- U.S. Army DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory, Adelphi, Maryland 20783, USA
| | - Alessandro Lodesani
- Francis Bitter Magnet Laboratory and Plasma Science and Fusion Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - Yingying Wu
- Francis Bitter Magnet Laboratory and Plasma Science and Fusion Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - Markus F Ritter
- IBM Research Europe - Zurich, Säumerstrasse 4, 8803 Rüschlikon, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Z Haxell
- IBM Research Europe - Zurich, Säumerstrasse 4, 8803 Rüschlikon, Switzerland
| | - Margarita Davydova
- Department of Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - Stefan Ilić
- Centro de Física de Materiales (CFM-MPC), Centro Mixto CSIC-UPV/EHU, Pº Manuel de Lardizabal 5, Donostia-San Sebastián 20018, Spain
| | | | | | - F Sebastian Bergeret
- Centro de Física de Materiales (CFM-MPC), Centro Mixto CSIC-UPV/EHU, Pº Manuel de Lardizabal 5, Donostia-San Sebastián 20018, Spain
- Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC), Donostia-San Sebastián 20018, Spain
| | - Akashdeep Kamra
- Condensed Matter Physics Center (IFIMAC) and Departamento de Física Teórica de la Materia Condensada, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, E-28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Liang Fu
- Department of Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - Patrick A Lee
- Department of Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - Jagadeesh S Moodera
- Francis Bitter Magnet Laboratory and Plasma Science and Fusion Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
- Department of Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
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14
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Hu JX, Sun ZT, Xie YM, Law KT. Josephson Diode Effect Induced by Valley Polarization in Twisted Bilayer Graphene. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2023; 130:266003. [PMID: 37450809 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.130.266003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Recently, the Josephson diode effect (JDE), in which the superconducting critical current magnitudes differ when the currents flow in opposite directions, has attracted great interest. In particular, it was demonstrated that gate-defined Josephson junctions based on magic-angle twisted bilayer graphene showed a strong nonreciprocal effect when the weak-link region is gated to a correlated insulating state at half filling (two holes per moiré cell). However, the mechanism behind such a phenomenon is not yet understood. In this Letter, we show that the interaction-driven valley polarization, together with the trigonal warping of the Fermi surface, induce the JDE. The valley polarization, which lifts the degeneracy of the states in the two valleys, induces a relative phase difference between the first and the second harmonics of the supercurrent and results in the JDE. We further show that the nontrivial current phase relation, which is responsible for the JDE, also generates the asymmetric Shapiro steps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Xin Hu
- Department of Physics, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China
| | - Zi-Ting Sun
- Department of Physics, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ying-Ming Xie
- Department of Physics, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China
| | - K T Law
- Department of Physics, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China
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15
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He JJ, Tanaka Y, Nagaosa N. The supercurrent diode effect and nonreciprocal paraconductivity due to the chiral structure of nanotubes. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3330. [PMID: 37286618 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39083-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The phenomenon that critical supercurrents along opposite directions become unequal is called the supercurrent diode effect (SDE). It has been observed in various systems and can often be understood by combining spin-orbit coupling and Zeeman field, which break the spatial-inversion and time-reversal symmetries, respectively. Here, we theoretically investigate another mechanism of breaking these symmetries and predict the existence of the SDE in chiral nanotubes without spin-orbit coupling. The symmetries are broken by the chiral structure and a magnetic flux through the tube. With a generalized Ginzburg-Landau theory, we obtain the main features of the SDE in its dependence on system parameters. We further show that the same Ginzburg-Landau free energy leads to another important manifestation of the nonreciprocity in superconducting systems, i.e., the nonreciprocal paraconductivity (NPC) slightly above the transition temperature. Our study suggests a new class of realistic platforms to investigate nonreciprocal properties of superconducting materials. It also provides a theoretical link between the SDE and the NPC, which were often studied separately.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Jun He
- Hefei National Laboratory, Hefei, Anhui, 230088, China.
- International Center for Quantum Design of Functional Materials (ICQD), Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, China.
| | - Yukio Tanaka
- Department of Applied Physics, Nagoya University, Nagoya, 464-8603, Japan
| | - Naoto Nagaosa
- Center for Emergent Matter Science (CEMS), RIKEN, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
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16
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Steiner JF, Melischek L, Trahms M, Franke KJ, von Oppen F. Diode Effects in Current-Biased Josephson Junctions. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2023; 130:177002. [PMID: 37172233 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.130.177002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Current-biased Josephson junctions exhibit hysteretic transitions between dissipative and superconducting states as characterized by switching and retrapping currents. Here, we develop a theory for diodelike effects in the switching and retrapping currents of weakly damped Josephson junctions. We find that while the diodelike behavior of switching currents is rooted in asymmetric current-phase relations, nonreciprocal retrapping currents originate in asymmetric quasiparticle currents. These different origins also imply distinctly different symmetry requirements. We illustrate our results by a microscopic model for junctions involving a single magnetic atom. Our theory provides significant guidance in identifying the microscopic origin of nonreciprocities in Josephson junctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob F Steiner
- Dahlem Center for Complex Quantum Systems and Fachbereich Physik, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Larissa Melischek
- Dahlem Center for Complex Quantum Systems and Fachbereich Physik, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Martina Trahms
- Fachbereich Physik, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Felix von Oppen
- Dahlem Center for Complex Quantum Systems and Fachbereich Physik, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195 Berlin, Germany
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17
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Trahms M, Melischek L, Steiner JF, Mahendru B, Tamir I, Bogdanoff N, Peters O, Reecht G, Winkelmann CB, von Oppen F, Franke KJ. Diode effect in Josephson junctions with a single magnetic atom. Nature 2023; 615:628-633. [PMID: 36890238 PMCID: PMC10033399 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-05743-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023]
Abstract
Current flow in electronic devices can be asymmetric with bias direction, a phenomenon underlying the utility of diodes1 and known as non-reciprocal charge transport2. The promise of dissipationless electronics has recently stimulated the quest for superconducting diodes, and non-reciprocal superconducting devices have been realized in various non-centrosymmetric systems3-10. Here we investigate the ultimate limits of miniaturization by creating atomic-scale Pb-Pb Josephson junctions in a scanning tunnelling microscope. Pristine junctions stabilized by a single Pb atom exhibit hysteretic behaviour, confirming the high quality of the junctions, but no asymmetry between the bias directions. Non-reciprocal supercurrents emerge when inserting a single magnetic atom into the junction, with the preferred direction depending on the atomic species. Aided by theoretical modelling, we trace the non-reciprocity to quasiparticle currents flowing by means of electron-hole asymmetric Yu-Shiba-Rusinov states inside the superconducting energy gap and identify a new mechanism for diode behaviour in Josephson junctions. Our results open new avenues for creating atomic-scale Josephson diodes and tuning their properties through single-atom manipulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Trahms
- Fachbereich Physik, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Larissa Melischek
- Dahlem Center for Complex Quantum Systems, Fachbereich Physik, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jacob F Steiner
- Dahlem Center for Complex Quantum Systems, Fachbereich Physik, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Bharti Mahendru
- Fachbereich Physik, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Idan Tamir
- Fachbereich Physik, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nils Bogdanoff
- Fachbereich Physik, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Olof Peters
- Fachbereich Physik, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Gaël Reecht
- Fachbereich Physik, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Felix von Oppen
- Dahlem Center for Complex Quantum Systems, Fachbereich Physik, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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18
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Souto RS, Leijnse M, Schrade C. Josephson Diode Effect in Supercurrent Interferometers. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2022; 129:267702. [PMID: 36608204 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.129.267702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
A Josephson diode is a nonreciprocal circuit element that supports a larger dissipationless supercurrent in one direction than in the other. In this Letter, we propose a class of Josephson diodes based on supercurrent interferometers composed of Andreev bound state Josephson junctions or interacting quantum dot Josephson junctions, which are not diodes themselves but possess nonsinusoidal current-phase relations. We show that such Josephson diodes have several important advantages, like being electrically tunable and requiring only time-reversal breaking by a magnetic flux. We also show that our diodes have a characteristic ac response, revealed by the Shapiro steps. Even the simplest realization of our Josephson diode paradigm that relies on only two junctions can achieve efficiencies of up to ∼40% and, interestingly, far greater efficiencies are achievable by concatenating interferometer loops. We hope that our Letter will stimulate the search for highly tunable Josephson diode effects in Josephson devices based semiconductor-superconductor hybrids, 2d materials, and topological insulators, where nonsinusoidal current-phase relations were recently observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rubén Seoane Souto
- Center for Quantum Devices, Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Division of Solid State Physics and NanoLund, Lund University, S-22100 Lund, Sweden
| | - Martin Leijnse
- Center for Quantum Devices, Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Division of Solid State Physics and NanoLund, Lund University, S-22100 Lund, Sweden
| | - Constantin Schrade
- Center for Quantum Devices, Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
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19
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Bauriedl L, Bäuml C, Fuchs L, Baumgartner C, Paulik N, Bauer JM, Lin KQ, Lupton JM, Taniguchi T, Watanabe K, Strunk C, Paradiso N. Supercurrent diode effect and magnetochiral anisotropy in few-layer NbSe2. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4266. [PMID: 35871226 PMCID: PMC9308774 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31954-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractNonreciprocal transport refers to charge transfer processes that are sensitive to the bias polarity. Until recently, nonreciprocal transport was studied only in dissipative systems, where the nonreciprocal quantity is the resistance. Recent experiments have, however, demonstrated nonreciprocal supercurrent leading to the observation of a supercurrent diode effect in Rashba superconductors. Here we report on a supercurrent diode effect in NbSe2 constrictions obtained by patterning NbSe2 flakes with both even and odd layer number. The observed rectification is a consequence of the valley-Zeeman spin-orbit interaction. We demonstrate a rectification efficiency as large as 60%, considerably larger than the efficiency of devices based on Rashba superconductors. In agreement with recent theory for superconducting transition metal dichalcogenides, we show that the effect is driven by the out-of-plane component of the magnetic field. Remarkably, we find that the effect becomes field-asymmetric in the presence of an additional in-plane field component transverse to the current direction. Supercurrent diodes offer a further degree of freedom in designing superconducting quantum electronics with the high degree of integrability offered by van der Waals materials.
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20
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Turini B, Salimian S, Carrega M, Iorio A, Strambini E, Giazotto F, Zannier V, Sorba L, Heun S. Josephson Diode Effect in High-Mobility InSb Nanoflags. NANO LETTERS 2022; 22:8502-8508. [PMID: 36285780 PMCID: PMC9650771 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.2c02899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
We report nonreciprocal dissipation-less transport in single ballistic InSb nanoflag Josephson junctions. Applying an in-plane magnetic field, we observe an inequality in supercurrent for the two opposite current propagation directions. Thus, these devices can work as Josephson diodes, with dissipation-less current flowing in only one direction. For small fields, the supercurrent asymmetry increases linearly with external field, and then it saturates as the Zeeman energy becomes relevant, before it finally decreases to zero at higher fields. The effect is maximum when the in-plane field is perpendicular to the current vector, which identifies Rashba spin-orbit coupling as the main symmetry-breaking mechanism. While a variation in carrier concentration in these high-quality InSb nanoflags does not significantly influence the supercurrent asymmetry, it is instead strongly suppressed by an increase in temperature. Our experimental findings are consistent with a model for ballistic short junctions and show that the diode effect is intrinsic to this material.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Turini
- NEST, Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR and Scuola Normale Superiore, 56127Pisa, Italy
| | - Sedighe Salimian
- NEST, Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR and Scuola Normale Superiore, 56127Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Iorio
- NEST, Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR and Scuola Normale Superiore, 56127Pisa, Italy
| | - Elia Strambini
- NEST, Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR and Scuola Normale Superiore, 56127Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesco Giazotto
- NEST, Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR and Scuola Normale Superiore, 56127Pisa, Italy
| | - Valentina Zannier
- NEST, Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR and Scuola Normale Superiore, 56127Pisa, Italy
| | - Lucia Sorba
- NEST, Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR and Scuola Normale Superiore, 56127Pisa, Italy
| | - Stefan Heun
- NEST, Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR and Scuola Normale Superiore, 56127Pisa, Italy
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21
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Narita H, Ishizuka J, Kawarazaki R, Kan D, Shiota Y, Moriyama T, Shimakawa Y, Ognev AV, Samardak AS, Yanase Y, Ono T. Field-free superconducting diode effect in noncentrosymmetric superconductor/ferromagnet multilayers. NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY 2022; 17:823-828. [PMID: 35773423 DOI: 10.1038/s41565-022-01159-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The diode effect is fundamental to electronic devices and is widely used in rectifiers and a.c.-d.c. converters. At low temperatures, however, conventional semiconductor diodes possess a high resistivity, which yields energy loss and heating during operation. The superconducting diode effect (SDE)1-8, which relies on broken inversion symmetry in a superconductor, may mitigate this obstacle: in one direction, a zero-resistance supercurrent can flow through the diode, but for the opposite direction of current flow, the device enters the normal state with ohmic resistance. The application of a magnetic field can induce SDE in Nb/V/Ta superlattices with a polar structure1,2, in superconducting devices with asymmetric patterning of pinning centres9 or in superconductor/ferromagnet hybrid devices with induced vortices10,11. The need for an external magnetic field limits their practical application. Recently, a field-free SDE was observed in a NbSe2/Nb3Br8/NbSe2 junction; it originates from asymmetric Josephson tunnelling that is induced by the Nb3Br8 barrier and the associated NbSe2/Nb3Br8 interfaces12. Here, we present another implementation of zero-field SDE using noncentrosymmetric [Nb/V/Co/V/Ta]20 multilayers. The magnetic layers provide the necessary symmetry breaking, and we can tune the SDE by adjusting the structural parameters, such as the constituent elements, film thickness, stacking order and number of repetitions. We control the polarity of the SDE through the magnetization direction of the ferromagnetic layers. Artificially stacked structures13-18, such as the one used in this work, are of particular interest as they are compatible with microfabrication techniques and can be integrated with devices such as Josephson junctions19-22. Energy-loss-free SDEs as presented in this work may therefore enable novel non-volatile memories and logic circuits with ultralow power consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hideki Narita
- Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University, Gokasho, Uji, Kyoto, Japan.
| | - Jun Ishizuka
- Institute for Theoretical Physics, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ryo Kawarazaki
- Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University, Gokasho, Uji, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Daisuke Kan
- Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University, Gokasho, Uji, Kyoto, Japan
- Center for Spintronics Research Network, Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University, Uji, Japan
| | - Yoichi Shiota
- Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University, Gokasho, Uji, Kyoto, Japan
- Center for Spintronics Research Network, Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University, Uji, Japan
| | - Takahiro Moriyama
- Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University, Gokasho, Uji, Kyoto, Japan
- Center for Spintronics Research Network, Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University, Uji, Japan
| | - Yuichi Shimakawa
- Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University, Gokasho, Uji, Kyoto, Japan
- Center for Spintronics Research Network, Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University, Uji, Japan
| | - Alexey V Ognev
- Laboratory of Spin-Orbitronics, Institute of High Technologies and Advanced Materials, Far Eastern Federal University, Vladivostok, Russia
| | - Alexander S Samardak
- Laboratory of Spin-Orbitronics, Institute of High Technologies and Advanced Materials, Far Eastern Federal University, Vladivostok, Russia
| | - Youichi Yanase
- Department of Physics, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Institute for Molecular Science, Okazaki, Japan
| | - Teruo Ono
- Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University, Gokasho, Uji, Kyoto, Japan.
- Center for Spintronics Research Network, Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University, Uji, Japan.
- Laboratory of Spin-Orbitronics, Institute of High Technologies and Advanced Materials, Far Eastern Federal University, Vladivostok, Russia.
- Center for Spintronics Research Network, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Japan.
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22
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Pal B, Chakraborty A, Sivakumar PK, Davydova M, Gopi AK, Pandeya AK, Krieger JA, Zhang Y, Date M, Ju S, Yuan N, Schröter NBM, Fu L, Parkin SSP. Josephson diode effect from Cooper pair momentum in a topological semimetal. NATURE PHYSICS 2022; 18:1228-1233. [PMID: 36217362 PMCID: PMC9537108 DOI: 10.1038/s41567-022-01699-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Cooper pairs in non-centrosymmetric superconductors can acquire finite centre-of-mass momentum in the presence of an external magnetic field. Recent theory predicts that such finite-momentum pairing can lead to an asymmetric critical current, where a dissipationless supercurrent can flow along one direction but not in the opposite one. Here we report the discovery of a giant Josephson diode effect in Josephson junctions formed from a type-II Dirac semimetal, NiTe2. A distinguishing feature is that the asymmetry in the critical current depends sensitively on the magnitude and direction of an applied magnetic field and achieves its maximum value when the magnetic field is perpendicular to the current and is of the order of just 10 mT. Moreover, the asymmetry changes sign several times with an increasing field. These characteristic features are accounted for by a model based on finite-momentum Cooper pairing that largely originates from the Zeeman shift of spin-helical topological surface states. The finite pairing momentum is further established, and its value determined, from the evolution of the interference pattern under an in-plane magnetic field. The observed giant magnitude of the asymmetry in critical current and the clear exposition of its underlying mechanism paves the way to build novel superconducting computing devices using the Josephson diode effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Banabir Pal
- Max Planck Institute of Microstructure Physics, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | | | | | - Margarita Davydova
- Department of Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA USA
| | - Ajesh K. Gopi
- Max Planck Institute of Microstructure Physics, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | | | - Jonas A. Krieger
- Max Planck Institute of Microstructure Physics, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Yang Zhang
- Department of Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA USA
| | - Mihir Date
- Max Planck Institute of Microstructure Physics, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Sailong Ju
- Swiss Light Source, Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen PSI, Switzerland
| | - Noah Yuan
- Department of Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA USA
| | | | - Liang Fu
- Department of Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA USA
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