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Andreas Moor

Publications and source records attributed to Andreas Moor.

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Static and dynamic properties of Josephson weak links with singlet and triplet coupling

We theoretically study static and dynamic properties of short Josephson junctions (JJ) with singlet and triplet Josephson coupling. In singlet Josephson weak links, two singlet superconductors S are connected with each other by a normal film (N) or wire. Triplet JJs, which we denote S$_{\text{m}}$/N(F)/S$_{\text{m}}$, are formed by two singlet BCS superconductors covered by a thin layer of a weak ferromagnet F$_{\text{w}}$. These superconductors S$_{\text{m}}$ are separated from the N (or F) layer by spin filters, which pass electrons with only one spin orientation. The triplet Cooper pairs propagating from the left (right) superconductors S$_{\text{m}}$ differ from each other not only by polarizations, but also by chiralities. The latter is determined by the magnetization orientation in weak ferromagnets F$_{\text{w}}$. We obtain analytical formulas for the critical Josephson current in both types of the JJs. If chiralities of the triplet Cooper pairs penetrating into the N film in S$_{\text{m}}$/N(F)/S$_{\text{m}}$ JJs from the left and right S$_{\text{m}}$ are different, the Josephson current is not zero in the absence of the phase difference (spontaneous Josephson current). We also calculate the admittance $Y(Ω)$ for arbitrary frequencies $Ω$ in the case of singlet JJs and for low frequencies in the case of triplet JJs. At low temperatures $T$, the real part of the admittance $Y^{\prime}(Ω)$ in singlet JJs starts to increase from zero at ${\hbar Ω\geq Δ_{\text{sg}}}$, but at ${T \geq Δ_{\text{sg}}}$, it has a peak at low frequencies the magnitude of which is determined by inelastic processes. The subgap $Δ_{\text{sg}}$ depends on transparencies of the S/N interfaces and on the phase difference $2 χ_{0}$. The low-frequency peak in $Y^{\prime}(Ω)$ in triplet JJs disappears.

cond-mat.supr-con

ac properties of short Josephson weak links

The admittance of two types of Josephson weak links is calculated, i.e., of a one-dimensional superconducting wire with a local suppression of the order parameter, and the second is a short S-c-S structure, where S denotes a superconductor and c---a constriction. The systems of the first type are analyzed on the basis of time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau equations. We show that the impedance $Z(Ω)$ has a maximum as a function of the frequency $Ω$, and the electric field $E_Ω$ is determined by two gauge-invariant quantities---the condensate momentum $Q_Ω$ and the potential $μ$ related to charge imbalance. The structures of the second type are studied on the basis of microscopic equations for quasiclassical Green's functions in the Keldysh technique. For short S-c-S contacts (the Thouless energy ${E_{\text{Th}} = D/L^{2} \gg Δ}$) we present a formula for admittance $Y$ valid at frequencies $Ω$ and temperatures $T$ less than the Thouless energy but arbitrary with respect to the energy gap $Δ$. It is shown that, at low temperatures, the absorption is absent [${\mathrm{Re}(Y) = 0}$] if the frequency does not exceed the energy gap in the center of the constriction (${Ω< Δ\cos φ_{0}}$, where $2 φ_{0}$ is the phase difference between the S reservoirs). The absorption gradually increases with increasing the difference ${(Ω- Δ\cos φ_{0})}$ if $2 φ_{0}$ is less than the phase difference $2 φ_{\text{c}}$ corresponding to the critical Josephson current. In the interval ${2 φ_{\text{c}} < 2 φ_{0} < π}$, the absorption has a maximum. This interval of the phase difference is achievable in phase-biased Josephson junctions. Close to $T_{\text{c}}$ the admittance has a maximum at low $Ω$ which is described by an analytical formula.

cond-mat.supr-con

Amplitude Higgs mode and admittance in superconductors with a moving condensate

We consider the amplitude (Higgs) mode in a superconductor with a condensate flow (supercurrent). We demonstrate that, in this case, the amplitude mode corresponding to oscillations $δ|Δ|_Ω \exp(i Ωt)$ of the superconducting gap is excited by an external ac electric field $\mathbf{E}_Ω \exp(i Ωt)$ already in the first order in $|\mathbf{E}_Ω|$, so that ${δ|Δ|_Ω \propto (\mathbf{v}_{0} \mathbf{E}_Ω)}$, where $\mathbf{v}_{0}$ is the velocity of the condensate. The frequency dependence $δ|Δ|_Ω$ has a resonance shape with a maximum at ${Ω= 2 Δ}$. In contrast to the standard situation without the condensate flow, the oscillations of the amplitude $δ|Δ(t)|$ contribute to the admittance $Y_Ω$. We provide a formula for admittance of a superconductor with a supercurrent. The predicted effect opens new ways of experimental investigation of the amplitude mode in superconductors and materials with superconductivity competing with other states.

cond-mat.supr-con

Excess current in ferromagnet-superconductor structures with fully polarized triplet component

We study the $I$-$V$ characteristics of S$_{\text{T}}$/n/N contacts, where S$_{\text{T}}$ is a BCS superconductor S with a built-in exchange field $h$, n represents a normal metal wire, and N---a normal metal reservoir. The superconductor S$_{\text{T}}$ is separated from the n-wire by a spin filter which allows the passage of electrons with a certain spin direction so that only fully polarized triplet Cooper pairs penetrate into the n-wire. We show that both the subgap conductance $σ_{\text{sg}}$ and the excess current $I_{\text{exc}}$, which occur in conventional S/n/N contacts due to Andreev reflection (AR), exist also in the considered system. In our case, they are caused by unconventional AR that is not accompanied by spin flip. The excess current $I_{\text{exc}}$ exists only if $h$ exceeds a certain magnitude $h_{\text{c}}$. At ${h < h_{\text{c}}}$ the excess current is converted into a deficit current $I_\text{def}$. The dependencies of the differential conductance and the current $I_{\text{exc}}$ are presented as a function of voltage and $h$.

cond-mat.supr-con

Chirality and spin transformation of triplet Cooper pairs upon interaction with singlet condensate

We show that the fully polarized triplet s-wave component is characterized not only by the spin direction, but also by chirality. Interaction of a polarized triplet component and a singlet one results in creation of triplet Cooper pairs with opposite spin direction or of different chiralities. Such spin transformation leads to interesting phenomena in multiterminal magnetic Josephson junctions. We calculate the dc Josephson current $I_{\text{J}}$ in a multiterminal Josephson contact of the S$_{\text{m}}$/n/S$_{\text{m}}^{\prime}$ type with "magnetic" superconductors S$_{\text{m}}$ that generate fully polarized triplet components. The superconductors S$_{\text{m}}$ are attached to magnetic insulators (filters) which let to pass electrons with a fixed spin direction only. The filter axes are assumed to be oriented antiparallel to each other. The Josephson current is zero in two-terminal Josephson junction, i.e., in S/n/S$_{\text{m}}$ or in S$_{\text{m}}$/n/S$_{\text{m}}^{\prime}$ contact. But in the three-terminal Josephson junction, with another S superconductor attached to the normal wire, the finite current $I_{\text{J}}$ appears flowing from the S~superconductor to S$_{\text{m}}$ superconductors. The currents through the right (left) superconductors S$_{\text{m}}$ are opposite in sign, ${I_{\text{R}} \equiv I_{\text{J}} = I_{\text{c}} \sin (χ_{\text{R}} + χ_{\text{L}} - 2 χ) = - I_{\text{L}}}$, where $χ_{\text{L/R}}$ and $χ$ are the phases of superconductors S$_{\text{m}}$, S$_{\text{m}}^{\prime}$, and S, respectively. We discuss possibilities of experimental observation of the effect.

cond-mat.supr-con

Nematic versus ferromagnetic spin filtering of triplet Cooper pairs in superconducting spintronics

We consider two types of magnetic Josephson junctions~(JJ). They are formed by two singlet superconductors~S and magnetic layers between them so that the JJ is a heterostructure of the S$_{\text{m}}$/n/S$_{\text{m}}$ type, where~S$_{\text{m}}$ includes two magnetic layers with non-collinear magnetization vectors. One layer is represented by a weak ferromagnet and another one---the spin filter---is either conducting strong ferromagnet (nematic or N\nobreakdash-type JJ) or magnetic tunnel barrier with spin-dependent transparency (magnetic or M\nobreakdash-type JJ). Due to spin filtering only fully polarized triplet component penetrates the normal n~wire and provides the Josephson coupling between the superconductors~S. Although both filters let to pass triplet Cooper pairs with total spin~$\mathbf{S}$ parallel to the filter axes, the behavior of nematic and magnetic JJs is completely different. Whereas in the nematic case the charge and spin currents,~$I_{\text{Q}}$ and~$I_{\text{sp}}$, do not depend on mutual orientation of the filter axes, both currents vanish in magnetic~JJ in case of antiparallel filter axes, and change sign under reversing the filter direction. The obtained expressions for~$I_{\text{Q}}$ and~$I_{\text{sp}}$ show clearly a duality between the superconducting phase~$φ$ and the angle~$α$ between the exchange fields in the weak magnetic layers.

cond-mat.supr-con

Hidden Order as a Source of Interface Superconductivity

Interfacial superconductivity is observed in a variety of heterostructures composed of different materials including superconducting and nonsuperconducting (at appropriate doping and temperatures) cuprates and iron-based pnictides. The origin of this superconductivity remains in many cases unclear. Here, we propose a general mechanism of interfacial superconductivity for systems with competing order parameters. We assume that parameters characterizing the material allow formation of another order like charge- or spin-density wave competing and prevailing superconductivity in the bulk (hidden superconductivity). Diffusive electron scattering on the interface results in a suppression of this order and releasing the superconductivity. Our theory is based on the use of Ginzburg--Landau equations applicable to a broad class of systems. We demonstrate that the local superconductivity appears in the vicinity of the interface and the spatial dependence of the superconducting order parameter~$Δ(x)$ is described by the Gross--Pitaevskii equation. Solving this equation we obtain quantized values of temperature and doping levels at which~$Δ(x)$ appears. Remarkably, the local superconductivity shows up even in the case when the rival order is only slightly suppressed and may arise also on the surface of the sample (surface superconductivity).

cond-mat.supr-con

Spin Current in Junctions composed of Multi-band Superconductors with a Spin-density Wave

We calculate a nondissipative spin current and show that it can flow with or without a charge current. We consider a two-band model which can be applied to the description of Fe-based pnictides in coexistence regime of superconductivity and spin-density wave. Using quasiclassical Green's functions approach and tunneling Hamiltonian method we show that there exists a possibility to switch off the Josephson current while leaving the spin current finite. Moreover, it is possible to have the critical Josephson current and the critical spin current being proportional to each other, thus giving a possibility to measure the spin current via the Josephson current. The underlying mechanism is the interfering hopping of electron--hole pairs between different bands of the superconductors composing the junction. This is an intrinsic property of the system and provides a unique and natural way to utilize junctions made solely of pnictides in promising applications in spintronics devices.

cond-mat.supr-con

Topological Defects in Systems with Two Competing Order Parameters: Application to Superconductors with Charge- and Spin-Density Waves

On the basis of coupled Ginzburg--Landau equations we study nonhomogeneous states in systems with two order parameters~(OP). Superconductors with superconducting OP~$Δ$, and charge- or spin-density wave (CDW or SDW) with amplitude~$W$ are examples of such systems. When one of OP, say~$Δ$, has a form of a topological defect, like, e.g., vortex or domain wall between the domains with the phases~$0$ and~$π$, the other OP~$W$ is determined by the Gross--Pitaevskii equation and is localized at the center of the defect. We consider in detail the domain wall defect for~$Δ$ and show that the shape of the associated solution for~$W$ depends on temperature and doping (or on the curvature of the Fermi surface)~$μ$. It turns out that, provided temperature or doping level are close to some discrete values~$T_{n}$ and~$μ_{n}$, the spacial dependence of the function~$W(x)$ is determined by the form of the eigenfunctions of the linearized Gross--Pitaevskii equation. The spacial dependence of~$W_{0}$ corresponding to the ground state has the form of a soliton, while other possible solutions~$W_{n}(x)$ have nodes. Inverse situation~when~$W(x)$ has the form of a topological defect and~$Δ(x)$ is localized at the center of this defect is also possible. In particular, we predict a surface or interfacial superconductivity in a system where a superconductor is in contact with a material that suppresses~$W$. This superconductivity should have rather unusual temperature dependence existing only in certain intervals of temperature. Possible experimental realizations of such non-homogeneous states of OPs are discussed.

cond-mat.supr-con

Dynamics of Order Parameters near Stationary States in Superconductors with a Charge-Density Wave

We consider a simple model of a quasi-one-dimensional conductor in which two order parameters (OP) may coexist, i.e., the superconducting OP $Δ$ and the OP $W$ that characterizes the amplitude of a charge-density wave (CDW). In the mean field approximation we present equations for the matrix Green's functions $G_{ik}$, where $i$ relates to the one of the two Fermi sheets and $k$, operates in the Gor'kov-Nambu space. Using the solutions of these equations, we find stationary states for different values of the parameter describing the curvature of the Fermi surface, $μ$, which can be varied, e.g., by doping. It is established that in the interval $μ_1<μ<μ_2$ the self-consistency equations have a solution for coexisting OPs $Δ$ and $W$. However, this solution corresponds to a saddle point in the energy functional $Φ(Δ, W)$, i.e., it is unstable. Stable states are: 1)the state with the CDW at $μ< μ_{2}$; and 2) the purely superconducting state at $μ_1<μ$. At $μ<μ_0$, the state 1) corresponds to a global minimum, and at $μ_0<μ$, the state 2) has a lower energy, i.e., only the superconducting state survives at large $μ$. We study the dynamics of the variations $δΔ$ and $δW$ from these states in the collisionless limit. It is characterized by two modes of oscillations, the fast and the slow one. The fast mode is analogous to damped oscillations in conventional superconductors. The frequency of slow modes depends on the curvature $μ$ and is much smaller than $2Δ$ if the coupling constants for superconductivity and CDW are close to each other. The considered model can be applied to high-$T_c$ superconductors where the parts of the Fermi surface near the `hot' spots may be regarded as the considered two Fermi sheets. We also discuss relation of the considered model to the simplest model for Fe-based pnictides.

cond-mat.supr-con

Time-dependent equation for the magnetic order parameter near the quantum critical point in multiband superconductors with a spin density wave

Using a simple two-band model for Fe-based pnictides and the generalized Eilenberger equation, we present a microscopic derivation of a time-dependent equation for the amplitude of the spin density wave near the quantum critical point where it turns to zero. This equation describes the dynamics of the magnetic---$m$, as well as the superconducting order parameter---$Δ$. It is valid at low temperatures $T$ and small $m$ (${T, m \ll Δ}$) in a region of coexistence of both order parameters, $m$ and $Δ$. The boundary of this region is found in the space of the nesting parameter $\{μ_{0},μ_ϕ\}$ where $μ_{0}$ describes the relative position of the electron and the hole pockets on the energy scale, and $μ_ϕ$ accounts for the ellipticity of the electron pocket. At low $T$ the number of quasiparticles is small due to the presence of the energy gap $Δ$, and therefore the quasiparticles do not play a role in the relaxation of $m$. This circumstance allows one to derive the time-dependent equation for $m$ in contrast to the case of conventional superconductors for which the time-dependent Ginzburg--Landau equation can be derived near $T_{\text{c}}$ only in some special cases (high concentration of paramagnetic impurities. In the stationary case the derived equation is valid at arbitrary temperatures. We find a solution of the stationary equation which describes a domain wall in the magnetic structure. In the center of the domain wall the superconducting order parameter has a maximum, which means a local enhancement of superconductivity. Using the derived time-dependent equation for $m$, we investgate also the stability of a uniform commensurate SDW and obtain the values of $\{μ_{0}, μ_ϕ\}$ at which the first order transition into the state with ${m = 0}$ takes place or the transition to the state with an inhomogeneous SDW occurs.

cond-mat.supr-con

Realization of the $π$-state in junctions formed by multi-band superconductors with a spin-density-wave

Using a simple model of multi-band superconductors, which can be applied in particular to Fe\nobreakdash-based pnictides, we calculate the Josephson current $I_{\text{J}}$ in a tunnel junction composed by such superconductors. We employ the tunneling Hamiltonian method and quasiclassical Green's functions. We study both the case of coexistence of the superconducting ($Δ$) and magnetic (SDW---spin density wave) order parameters and the case when only the superconducting order parameter exists. We show that the current $I_{\text{J}}$ depends on the mutual orientation of magnetization of the SDW in the case of non-ideal nesting when the coexistence of superconducting and magnetic order parameters is possible as it takes place in Fe\nobreakdash-based pnictides. It is found that the realization of the $π$\nobreakdash-junction is possible in both cases. We compare our results for multi-band superconductors without the SDW with those obtained earlier and find that they coincide if the tunneling matrix elements are real. If these elements are complex, a new term appears in the formula for the Josephson critical current.

cond-mat.supr-con