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Alexander A. Golubov

Publications and source records attributed to Alexander A. Golubov.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Josephson current in a normal-metal nanowire coupled to superconductor/ferromagnet/superconductor junction

We consider superconducting nanowire proximity coupled to superconductor / ferromagnet / superconductor junction, where the magnetization penetrates into superconducting segment in nanowire decaying as $\sim\exp[-\frac{\mid n \mid}ξ]$ with site index $n$ and the decay length $ξ$. We tune chemical potential and spin-orbit coupling so that topological superconducting regime hosting Majorana fermion is realized for long $ξ$. We find that when $ξ$ becomes shorter, zero energy state at the interface between superconductor and ferromagnet splits into two away from zero energy. Accordingly, the behavior of Josephson current is drastically changed due to this "zero mode-non-zero mode crossover". By tuning the model parameters, we find an almost second-harmonic current-phase relation, $\sin2φ$, with phase difference $φ$. Based on the analysis of Andreev bound state (ABS), we clarify that current-phase relation is determined by coupling of the states within the energy gap. We find that the emergence of crossing points of ABS is a key ingredient to generate $\sin2φ$ dependence in current-phase relation. We further study both the energy and $φ$ dependence of pair amplitudes in the ferromagnetic region. For long $ξ$, odd-frequency spin-triplet $s$-wave component is dominant. The magnitude of the odd-frequency pair amplitude is enhanced at the energy level of ABS.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Critical behavior at the dynamic Mott transition

We investigate magnetoresistance of a square array of superconducting islands placed on a normal metal, which offers a unique tunable laboratory for realizing and exploring quantum many-body systems and their dynamics. A vortex Mott insulator where magnetic field-induced vortices are frozen in the dimples of the egg crate potential by their strong repulsion interaction is discovered. We find an insulator-to-metal transition driven by the applied electric current and determine critical exponents that exhibit striking similarity with the common thermodynamic liquid-gas transition. A simple and straightforward quantum mechanical picture is proposed that describes both tunneling dynamics in the deep insulating state and the observed scaling behavior in the vicinity of the critical point. Our findings offer a comprehensive description of dynamic Mott critical behavior and establish a deep connection between equilibrium and nonequilibrium phase transitions.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Microscopic theory of tunneling spectroscopy in Sr$_2$RuO$_4$

We study the surface Andreev bound state (ABS) of superconducting Sr$_2$RuO$_4$, which is a candidate material for the realization of the chiral $p$-wave superconducting state. In order to clarify the role of chiral edge modes as ABSs, the surface density of states and the tunneling conductance is calculated in the normal metal/Sr$_2$RuO$_4$ junction within the framework of recursive Green's function method, while taking into account the orbital degrees of freedom (including Spin-Orbit interactions) with realistic material parameters. In Sr$_2$RuO$_4$, there are two bands $α$ and $β$ originating from quasi-one-dimensional orbitals $d_{yz}$ and $d_{zx}$ and a two-dimensional band $γ$ originating from $d_{xy}$ orbital. We discuss about the contributions of various electronic bands to LDOS and the influence of atomic spin-orbit interaction (SOI). In the light of our calculations, quasi-one-dimensional model with dominant pair potentials in $α$ and $β$ bands is consistent with conductance measurements in Au/Sr$_{2}$RuO$_{4}$ junctions.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Robustness of Spin-Triplet Pairing and Singlet-Triplet Pairing Crossover in Superconductor/Ferromagnet Hybrids

We have investigated the proximity effect in superconductor/ferromagnet junctions in a systematic manner to discuss the relationship between the zero-energy peak (ZEP) of the local density of states (LDOS) and spin-triplet odd-frequency pairing. By exactly solving the nonlinear Usadel equations, we have found that the ZEP is realized in a wide range of geometrical and material parameters in the case of the noncollinear magnetization. This strongly suggests the robustness of the ZEP induced by spin-triplet odd-frequency pairing in such systems. We also found that the crossover from singlet pairing to triplet pairing can be detected by measuring the F layer thickness dependence of the ZEP height. Furthermore, we show how to observe signatures of spin-triplet odd-frequency pairing and the pairing crossover by LDOS measurement. Our results provide a direct way to experimentally detect signatures of the odd-frequency pairing state.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Magnetic Josephson Junctions with Superconducting Interlayer for Cryogenic Memory

We investigate Magnetic Josephson Junction (MJJ) - a superconducting device with ferromagnetic barrier for a scalable high-density cryogenic memory compatible with energy-efficient single flux quantum (SFQ) circuits. The superconductor-insulator-superconductor-ferromagnet-superconductor (SIS'FS) MJJs are analyzed both experimentally and theoretically. We found that the properties of SIS'FS junctions fall into two distinct classes based on the thickness of S' layer. We fabricate Nb-Al/AlOx-Nb-PdFe-Nb SIS'FS MJJs using a co-processing approach with a combination of HYPRES and ISSP fabrication processes. The resultant SIS'FS structure with thin superconducting S'-layer is substantially affected by the ferromagnetic layer as a whole. We fabricate these type of junctions to reach the device compatibility with conventional SIS junctions used for superconducting SFQ electronics to ensure a seamless integration of MJJ-based circuits and SIS JJ-based ultra-fast digital SFQ circuits. We report experimental results for MJJs, demonstrating their applicability for superconducting memory and digital circuits. These MJJs exhibit IcRn product only ~30% lower than that of conventional SIS junctions co-produced in the same fabrication. Analytical calculations for these SIS'FS structures are in a good agreement with the experiment. We discuss application of MJJ devices for memory and programmable logic circuits.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

New approach to theory of tunneling spectroscopy in unconventional superconductors

We have derived new boundary conditions on wave function at the normal metal / superconductor (NS) interface beyond effective mass approximation. These conditions are based on tight-binding approach and enable one to formulate quantitative model for tunneling spectroscopy of superconductors with complex non-parabolic energy spectra. The model is applied to superconductors with unconventional pairing and with multiband electronic structure. In the case of single band unconventional superconductors this model provides known conductance formula (Phys. Rev. Lett. 74 3451 1995), but with generalized definition of the normal-state conductance. Based on new boundary conditions, we have calculated conductance in normal metal / superconducting pnictide junctions for different orientations of the NS interface with respect to the crystallographic axes of the pnictides. The present approach provides the basis for quantitative tunneling spectroscopy in multi-orbital superconductors.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Anomalous Surface Impedance in a Normal-metal/Superconductor Junction with a Spin-active Interface

We discuss the surface impedance (Z=R-iX) of a normal-metal/superconductor proximity structure taking into account the spin-dependent potential at the junction interface. Because of the spin mixing transport at the interface, odd-frequency spin-triplet s-wave Cooper pairs penetrate into the normal metal and cause the anomalous response to electromagnetic fields. At low temperature, the local impedance at a surface of the normal metal shows the nonmonotonic temperature dependence and the anomalous relation R>X. We also discuss a possibility of observing such anomalous impedance in experiments.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Double proximity effect in hybrid planar Superconductor-(Normal metal/Ferromagnet)-Superconductor structures

We have investigated the differential resistance of hybrid planar Al-(Cu/Fe)-Al submicron bridges at low temperatures and in weak magnetic fields. The structure consists of Cu/Fe-bilayer forming a bridge between two superconducting Al-electrodes. In superconducting state of Al-electrodes, we have observed a double-peak peculiarity in differential resistance of the S-(N/F)-S structures at a bias voltage corresponding to the minigap. We claim that this effect (the doubling of the minigap) is due to an electron spin polarization in the normal metal which is induced by the ferromagnet. We have demonstrated that the double-peak peculiarity is converted to a single peak at a coercive applied field corresponding to zero magnetization of the Fe-layer.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Spectrum of Andreev bound states in Josepshon junctions with a ferromagnetic insulator

Ferromagnetic-insulator (FI) based Josephson junctions are promising candidates for a coherent superconducting quantum bit as well as a classical superconducting logic circuit. Recently the appearance of an intriguing atomic-scale 0-pi transition has been theoretically predicted. In order to uncover the mechanism of this phenomena, we numerically calculate the spectrum of Andreev bound states in a FI barrier by diagonalizing the Bogoliubov-de Gennes equation. We show that Andreev spectrum drastically depends on the parity of the FI-layer number L and accordingly the pi (0) state is always more stable than the 0 (pi) state if L is odd (even).

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

Anomalous Surface Impedance due to Odd-frequency Cooper Pairs

We discuss dynamical response of odd-frequency Cooper pairs to electromagnetic field. By using the quasiclassical Green function method, we calculate the surface impedance (Z=R-iX) of a normal metal thin film which covers a superconductor. In contrast to the standard relation (i.e., R << X), the surface impedance in spin-triplet proximity structures shows anomalous behavior (i.e., R>X) at low temperatures. This unusual relation is a result of the penetration of odd-frequency pairs into the normal metal and reflects the negative Cooper pair density.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Tunneling Hamiltonian description of the atomic-scale 0-pi transition in superconductor/ferromagnetic-insulator junctions

We show a perturbation theory of the Josephson transport through ferromagnetic insulators (FIs). Recently we have found that the appearance of the atomic scale 0-pi transition in such junctions based on numerical calculations. In order to explore the mechanism of this anomalous transition, we have analytically calculated the Josephson current using the tunneling Hamiltonian theory and found that the spin dependent pi-phase shift in the FI barrier gives the atomic scale 0-pi transition.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

Thermally induced 0-pi phase transition in Josephson junctions through a ferromagnetic oxide film

We investigate the Josephson transport through a ferromagnetic oxide film, e.g., La$_2$BaCuO$_5$, theoretically. Using the recursive Green's function technique, we found the formation of a pi-junction in such systems. Moreover the 0-pi phase transition is induced by increasing the temperature. Such ferromagnetic-oxide based Josephson junctions may become an element in the architecture of future quantum computers.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Josephson pi-state in a ferromagnetic insulator

We predict anomalous atomic-scale 0-pi transitions in a Josephson junction with a ferromagnetic-insulator (FI) barrier. The ground state of such junction alternates between 0- and pi-states when thickness of FI is increasing by a single atomic layer. We find that the mechanism of the 0-pi transition can be attributed to thickness-dependent phase-shifts between the wave numbers of electrons and holes in FI. Based on these results, we show that stable pi-state can be realized in junctions based on high-Tc superconductors with La$_2$BaCuO$_5$ barrier.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Theory of pairing symmetry inside the Abrikosov vortex core

We show that the Cooper pair wave function at the center of an Abrikosov vortex with vorticity m has different parity with respect to frequency from that in the bulk if m is an odd number and has the same parity if m is an even number. As a result, in a conventional vortex with m=1, the local density of states at the Fermi energy has a maximum (minimum) at the center of the vortex core in even(odd)-frequency superconductor. We propose a scanning tunneling microscope experiment using a superconducting tip to explore odd-frequency superconductivity.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Odd-frequency Pairs and Josephson Current through a Strong Ferromagnet

We study Josephson current in superconductor / diffusive ferromagnet /superconductor junctions by using the recursive Green function method. When the exchange potential in a ferromagnet is sufficiently large as compared to the pair potential in a superconductor, an ensemble average of Josephson current is much smaller than its mesoscopic fluctuations. The Josephson current vanishes when the exchange potential is extremely large so that a ferromagnet is half-metallic. Spin-flip scattering at junction interfaces drastically changes the characteristic behavior of Josephson current. In addition to spin-singlet Cooper pairs, equal-spin triplet pairs penetrate into a half metal. Such equal-spin pairs have an unusual symmetry property called odd-frequency symmetry and carry the Josephson current through a half metal. The penetration of odd-frequency pairs into a half metal enhances the low energy quasiparticle density of states, which could be detected experimentally by scanning tunneling spectroscopy. We will also show that odd-frequency pairs in a half metal cause a nonmonotonic temperature dependence of the critical Josephson current.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Conductance Spectroscopy of Spin-triplet Superconductors

We propose a novel experiment to identify the symmetry of superconductivity on the basis of theoretical results for differential conductance of a normal metal connected to a superconductor. The proximity effect from the superconductor modifies the conductance of the remote current depending remarkably on the pairing symmetry: spin-singlet or spin-triplet. The clear-cut difference in the conductance is explained by symmetry of Cooper pairs in a normal metal with respect to frequency. In the spin-triplet case, the anomalous transport is realized due to an odd-frequency symmetry of Cooper pairs.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Theory of Macroscopic Quantum Tunneling and Dissipation in High-Tc Josephson Junctions

We have investigated macroscopic quantum tunneling (MQT) in in-plane high-Tc superconductor Josephson junctions and the influence of the nodal-quasiparticle and the zero energy bound states (ZES) on MQT. We have shown that the presence of the ZES at the interface between the insulator and the superconductor leads to strong Ohmic quasiparticle dissipation. Therefore, the MQT rate is noticeably suppressed in comparison with the c-axis junctions in which ZES are completely absent.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Macroscopic quantum dynamics of pi-junctions with ferromagnetic insulators

We theoretically investigate the macroscopic quantum dynamics of a pi junction with a superconductor (S) and a multiferroic material or a ferromagnetic insulator (FI). By deriving the effective action from a microscopic Hamiltonian, a pi-junction qubit (a S-FI-S superconducting quantum interference device ring) is proposed. In this qubit, a quantum two-level system is spontaneously generated and the effect of the quasiparticle dissipation is found to be very weak. These features make it possible to realize a quiet qubit with high coherency. We also investigate macroscopic quantum tunneling (MQT) in current-biased S-FI-S pi junctions and show that the influence of the quasiparticle dissipation on MQT is negligibly small.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗