SciPost Submission Page
Superconducting diode effect in a meso-wedge geometry with Abrikosov vortices
by C. A. Aguirre , J. Barba-Ortega , A. S. de Arruda and J. Faundez
Submission summary
| Authors (as registered SciPost users): | Jose Barba · Julian Faundez |
| Submission information | |
|---|---|
| Preprint Link: | scipost_202505_00028v3 (pdf) |
| Date submitted: | Oct. 10, 2025, 3:47 p.m. |
| Submitted by: | Julian Faundez |
| Submitted to: | SciPost Physics Core |
| Ontological classification | |
|---|---|
| Academic field: | Physics |
| Specialties: |
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| Approaches: | Theoretical, Computational |
Abstract
In this study, we explore the behavior of a superconducting meso-wedge geometry in 3+1 dimensions (three spatial dimensions plus time) subjected to transport currents at its boundaries and surfaces, as well as external fields applied along the $\hat{z}$-direction. The transport currents are included as two opposite polarities, $\textbf{J}>0$ and $\textbf{J}<0$. Using the generalized time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau theory and taking into account $\kappa$, we focus on two distinct scenarios: (i) constant external magnetic field with variable $\kappa$, and (ii) constant $\kappa$ with variable external magnetic field. As a result, under both scenarios, we analyze the voltage-current characteristics of the superconducting meso-wedge, finding that the critical currents differ between polarities, demonstrating the system's non-reciprocity. We further examine the efficiency of the diode as a function of $\kappa$ and the external magnetic field applied. Furthermore, our observations reveal that the current polarity strongly influences the vortex configuration, the parameter $\kappa$, and the applied magnetic field. In particular, the formation of Abrikosov-type vortices exhibits pronounced inhomogeneity depending on the direction of the transport currents. This underscores that the diode effect in the superconducting meso-wedge is intimately associated with the anisotropic nucleation of Abrikosov vortices. Notably, the emergence of polarity-dependent vortex patterns can serve as a distinctive hallmark of the diode effect in these superconducting systems.
Author comments upon resubmission
Dear Editor,
We thank you for the opportunity to resubmit our manuscript entitled "Superconducting diode effect in a meso-wedge geometry with Abrikosov vortices" (manuscript ID: BV14591) for consideration in SciPost Physics Core.
Following the referee’s valuable comments, we have carefully revised the manuscript and included all the requested clarifications and improvements. In particular, we have expanded the discussion in the Introduction, Results and Discussion and experimental evidences sections and improved the overall clarity and readability of the MS.
We believe that the revised version of the MS addresses all the referee’s concerns and that the manuscript is now significantly improved. We therefore hope that it will be suitable for publication in SciPost Physics Core.
Thank you for your consideration and we look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
J. Faundez, on behalf of the authors.
List of changes
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A new text has been added to page 2, column 1, paragraph 3, of the new version of the MS.
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A new text added on page 3, column 2, section "numerical results" and paragraph 1, of the new version of the MS.
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New text on page 4, column 1, and paragraph 2, of the new version of the MS.
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A new text was added on page 5, column 1, and paragraph 5, of the new version of the MS.
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A new text on page 8, column 2, and paragraph 3, of the new version of the MS.
Current status:
Reports on this Submission
Strengths
- A meso-wedge geometry has been proposed to show superconducting diode effect.
- The well-defined generalized time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau theory based on has been used.
Weaknesses
- The present work showed very weak diode effect.
- Many claims have been mentioned without proper citation and some of them were proved to be wrong within the manuscript.
Report
I did not find the importance of the present work. The major criticism is that the difference between the currents in the two directions are at the third decimal (mostly) for all parameter values used in the manuscript. Ultimately, they showed the maximum efficiency is of the order of 15%. In the literature, there exists many works achieving higher values of the diode efficiency including the claim for 100% efficiency based on various systems. Why should one use the present model to get the diode effect? Authors claimed that `` .... mesoscopic superconductors hosting vortices can display distinct critical currents for opposite current directions, making them ideal systems to investigate and enhance diode-like superconducting behavior" Where is the enhancement? In fact, the present work showed much weaker diode effect compared to the most of the existing systems used in the literature. There exist some discrete \kappa values where diode effect is finite. It means that the existence of Abrikosov vortices do not lead to diode effect always although the authors claimed that ``Abrikosov vortices provide a natural platform to explore the superconducting diode effect."
Now, one can think that the present work is the first work to show superconducting diode effect using vortices. However, authors themselves claimed that ``There is increasing experimental support for the presence and role of vortices in the emergence of the superconducting diode effect". It automatically indicates that it is not the first work (also no such claim in the manuscript).
Looking at the current status of the research on superconducting diode effects, I do not find the merit of the present work to be sufficient to be accepted in journals like SciPost. I do not recommend the acceptance of the present work. This is not significantly advancing current knowledge and understanding of the field.
Requested changes
Additional comments:
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They claimed in the Discussion subsection that ``There is increasing experimental support for the presence and role of vortices in the emergence of the superconducting diode effect" without any support of the literature. They should add a good number of references to support this claim.
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Units are missing throughout the text.
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Dimension of the system is already defined at the end of Sec.II. It should not be mentioned elsewhere (unless changed) to avoid repetition.
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To maintain the consistency in the presentation of the work, a subsection on the `current and non-reciprocity' can be added as the first subsection. Other subsections are to be renumbered accordingly.
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Many other references are missed in the introduction to provide the picture of the research till date.
Recommendation
Reject
Report
The authors have successfully addressed the minor comments I raised in my second report. Therefore, I recommend the acceptance of the manuscript as a regular article in SciPost.
Recommendation
Publish (meets expectations and criteria for this Journal)