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arXiv · 2009.14592

Tunable critical field in Rashba superconductor thin-films

L. A. B. Olde Olthof·J. R. Weggemans·G. Kimbell·J. W. A. Robinson·X. Montiel
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Abstract

The upper critical field in type II superconductors is limited by the Pauli paramagnetic limit. In superconductors with strong Rashba spin-orbit coupling this limit can be overcome by forming a helical state. Here we quantitatively study the magnetic field-temperature phase diagram of finite-size superconductors with Rashba spin-orbit coupling. We discuss the effect of finite size and shape anisotropy. We demonstrate that the critical field is controllable by intrinsic parameters such as spin-orbit coupling strength and tunable parameters such as sample geometry and applied field direction. Our study opens new avenues for the design of superconducting spin-valves.

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L. A. B. Olde Olthof, J. R. Weggemans, G. Kimbell, J. W. A. Robinson, X. Montiel. 2020-09-30. Tunable critical field in Rashba superconductor thin-films. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevb.103.l020504

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