Spin-Orbit Coupling Effects on the Current-Phase Relation of a DC SQUID

ORAL

Abstract

We consider a dc superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) composed of two Josephson junctions (JJs) in a loop threaded by a magnetic flux. The JJs are built on a heterostructure where a semiconducting two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) is partially covered by a conventional superconductor. Due to proximity effect, superconductivity is induced in the covered 2DEG, while the uncovered region remains in the normal state. Top gates allow for tuning both the carrier density and Rashba spin-orbit coupling (RSOC) strength in the normal region of each JJ, individually. We theoretically investigate the effects of self-inductance, charge density, and RSOC as well as their distinctive signatures on the corrent-phase relation (CPR) of the device. The sizable effects of RSOC tuning on the CPR make the considered SQUID a promising device not only for the detection of RSOC fields in proximitized materials but also for studying tunable topological transitions and the potential formation of Majorana bound states upon the application of a Zeeman field. The theoretical results are in good agreement with recent experimental measurements of the CPR in SQUIDs composed of InAs/Al JJs.

*Work supported by DARPA TEE and U. S. ONR N000141712793 (A. M-A., N. M, and I. Z.).

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Presenters

  • Alex Matos Abiague

    • Department of Physics and Astronomy, Wayne State University
    • Wayne State University Detroit
    • Departiment of Physics and Astronomy, Wayne State University
    • Wayne State University
    • Physics, Wayne State University

Authors

  • Alex Matos Abiague

    • Department of Physics and Astronomy, Wayne State University
    • Wayne State University Detroit
    • Departiment of Physics and Astronomy, Wayne State University
    • Wayne State University
    • Physics, Wayne State University

  • Narayan Mohanta

    • Departiment of Physics and Astronomy, Wayne State University
    • Wayne State University
    • Physics, Wayne State University

  • William Andrew Mayer

    • Department of Physics, New York University
    • Physics, New York University
    • Center for Quantum Phenomena, Department of Physics, New York University

  • SiChao Yu

    • Department of Physics, New York University
    • Physics, New York University

  • Kaushini Wickramasinghe

    • University of Oklahoma
    • Department of Physics, New York University
    • Physics, New York University
    • Physics, University of Maryland, College Park
    • Center for Quantum Phenomena, Department of Physics, New York University
    • University of Maryland, College Park

  • Joseph Yuan

    • Department of Physics, New York University
    • Physics, New York University
    • Center for Quantum Phenomena, Department of Physics, New York University

  • Javad Shabani

    • Department of Physics, New York University
    • Physics, New York University
    • Center for Quantum Phenomena, Department of Physics, New York University
    • Center for Quantum Phenomena, New York University
    • New York University
    • Physics, Harvard University

  • Igor Zutic

    • University at Buffalo, The State University of New York
    • Department of Physics, State University of New York at Buffalo
    • Department of Physics, University at Buffalo
    • Physics, State Univ of NY - Buffalo
    • Physics, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York
    • Physics, State University of New York at Buffalo