SciPost Submission Page
Engineered Josephson diode effect in kinked Rashba nanochannels
by Alfonso Maiellaro, Mattia Trama, Jacopo Settino, Claudio Guarcello, Francesco Romeo, and Roberta Citro
Submission summary
| Authors (as registered SciPost users): | Alfonso Maiellaro · Jacopo Settino · Mattia Trama |
| Submission information | |
|---|---|
| Preprint Link: | scipost_202405_00043v1 (pdf) |
| Date submitted: | 2024-05-27 14:07 |
| Submitted by: | Maiellaro, Alfonso |
| Submitted to: | SciPost Physics |
| Ontological classification | |
|---|---|
| Academic field: | Physics |
| Specialties: |
|
| Approaches: | Theoretical, Computational |
Abstract
The superconducting diode effect, reminiscent of the unidirectional charge transport in semiconductor diodes, is characterized by a nonreciprocal, dissipationless flow of Cooper pairs. This remarkable phenomenon arises from the interplay between symmetry constraints and the inherent quantum behavior of superconductors. Here, we explore the geometric control of the diode effect in a kinked nanostrip Josephson junction based on a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEGs) with Rashba spin-orbit interaction. We provide a comprehensive analysis of the diode effect as a function of the kink angle and the out-of-plane magnetic field. Our analysis reveals a rich phase diagram, showcasing a geometry and field-controlled diode effect. The phase diagram also reveals the presence of an anomalous Josephson effect related to the emergence of trivial zero-energy Andreev bound states, which can evolve into Majorana bound states. Our findings indicate that the exceptional synergy between geometric control of the diode effect and topological phases can be effectively leveraged to design and optimize superconducting devices with tailored transport properties.
Author indications on fulfilling journal expectations
- Provide a novel and synergetic link between different research areas.
- Open a new pathway in an existing or a new research direction, with clear potential for multi-pronged follow-up work
- Detail a groundbreaking theoretical/experimental/computational discovery
- Present a breakthrough on a previously-identified and long-standing research stumbling block
Current status:
Reports on this Submission
Strengths
1-it opens a new perspective on a very active and promising field.
2- it is well written and the results can be replicated on the basis of the details given.
3- the analysis is detailed so that not many open points are left.
4- although the system is rather artificial, some contact to experiments is made.
Weaknesses
1- No simple, hand waving, argument is given to interpret and maybe generalise the interesting results found.
2- the reference list could be more exhaustive.
Report
In their preprint, the Authors examine a Josephson junction based on a spin orbit coupled 2D, or quasi 1D, electron gas. The novelty is represented by the presence of a kink in the structure. The non reciprocal features, namely the superconducting diode effect and the anomalous Josephson current, are analysed and are found to depend on both the external magnetic field (not a new result) and the angle. This last finding is novel and extremely interesting in view of the search for the optimal nanostructure to employ as a superconducting diode. The analysis performed is exhaustive and easy to follow. The article is clearly written and inspiring. I definitely think it meets the publication criteria of SciPost physics. My only suggestion for improvement is the inclusion in the article of a simple interpretative scheme for the results.
Requested changes
1- Inclusion of a simple interpretation
2- improved reference list
Recommendation
Publish (easily meets expectations and criteria for this Journal; among top 50%)