Non-linear superflow of a unitary Fermi gas through a quantum point contact

ORAL

Abstract

Point contacts provide simple connections between macroscopic particle reservoirs. In electric circuits, strong links between metals, semiconductors, or superconductors have applications for fundamental condensed-matter physics as well as quantum information processing. However, for complex, strongly correlated materials, links have been largely restricted to weak tunnel junctions. We studied resonantly interacting Fermi gases of $^6$Li atoms connected by a tunable, ballistic quantum point contact, finding a nonlinear current-bias relation. At low temperature, our observations agree quantitatively with a theoretical model in which the current originates from multiple Andreev reflections. In a wide contact geometry, the competition between superfluidity and thermally activated transport leads to a conductance minimum. Our system offers a controllable platform for the study of mesoscopic devices based on strongly interacting matter.

Authors

  • Martin Lebrat

    • ETH Zurich
  • Dominik Husmann

    • ETH Zurich
  • Shun Uchino

    • RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science
  • Sebastian Krinner

    • ETH Zurich
  • Samuel H\"ausler

    • ETH Zurich
  • Jean-Philippe Brantut

    • ETH Zurich
  • Thierry Giamarchi

    • University of Geneva
  • Tilman Esslinger

    • ETH Zurich