arXiv subjects

Mohammad Alidoust

Publications and source records attributed to Mohammad Alidoust.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2015

Josephson Currents and Spin Transfer Torques in Ballistic SFSFS Nanojunctions

Utilizing a full microscopic Bogoliubov-de Gennes (BdG) approach, we study the equilibrium charge and spin currents in ballistic $SFSFS$ Josephson systems, where $F$ is a uniformly magnetized ferromagnet and $S$ is a conventional $s$-wave superconductor. From the spatially varying spin currents, we also calculate the associated equilibrium spin transfer torques. Through variations in the relative phase differences between the three $S$ regions, and magnetization orientations of the ferromagnets, our study demonstrates tunability and controllability of the spin and charge supercurrents. The spin transfer torques are shown to reveal details of the proximity effects that play a crucial role in these types of hybrid systems. The proposed $SFSFS$ nanostructure is discussed within the context of a superconducting magnetic torque transistor.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2015

Long-Range Spin-Triplet Correlations and Edge Spin Currents in Diffusive Spin-Orbit Coupled SNS Hybrids with a Single Spin-Active Interface

Utilizing a SU(2) gauge symmetry technique in the quasiclassical diffusive regime, we theoretically study finite-sized two-dimensional intrinsic spin-orbit coupled superconductor/normal-metal/superconductor (S/N/S) hybrid structures with a single spin-active interface. We consider intrinsic spin-orbit interactions (ISOIs) that are confined within the N wire and absent in the s-wave superconducting electrodes (S). Using experimentally feasible parameters, we demonstrate that the coupling of the ISOIs and spin moment of the spin-active interface results in maximum singlet-triplet conversion and accumulation of spin current density at the corners of the N wire nearest the spin-active interface. By solely modulating the superconducting phase difference, we show how the opposing parities of the charge and spin currents provide an effective venue to experimentally examine pure edge spin currents not accompanied by charge currents. These effects occur in the absence of externally imposed fields, and moreover are insensitive to the arbitrary orientations of the interface spin moment. The experimental implementation of these robust edge phenomena are also discussed.

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arXiv2015

Spontaneous Edge Accumulation of Spin Currents in Finite-Size Two-Dimensional Diffusive Spin-Orbit Coupled SFS Heterostructures

We theoretically study spin and charge currents through finite-size two-dimensional $s$-wave superconductor/uniform ferromagnet/s-wave superconductor (SFS) junctions with intrinsic spin-orbit interactions (ISOIs) using a quasiclassical approach. Considering experimentally realistic parameters, we demonstrate that the combination of spontaneously broken time-reversal symmetry and lack of inversion symmetry can result in spontaneously accumulated spin currents at the edges of finite-size two-dimensional magnetic SF hybrids. Due to the spontaneous edge spin accumulation, the corners of the F wire host the maximum spin current density. We further reveal that this type edge phenomena are robust and independent of either the actual type of ISOIs or exchange field orientation. Moreover, we study spin current-phase relations in these diffusive spin-orbit coupled SFS junctions. Our results unveil net spin currents, not accompanied by charge supercurrent, that spontaneously accumulate at the sample edges through a modulating superconducting phase difference. Finally, we discuss possible experimental implementations to observe these edge phenomena.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2015

Proximity Induced Vortices and Long-Range Triplet Supercurrents in Ferromagnetic Josephson Junctions and Spin Valves

Using a Keldysh formalism, we study supercurrent (SC) transport in several types of diffusive ferromagnet(F)/superconductor(S) configurations. We separate out the even- and odd-frequency components and identify the relative contributions from the singlet and triplet channels. We first consider 1D Josephson structures consisting of a uniform SFFS structure and a trilayer SFFFS configuration. Our results demonstrate that for SCs flowing perpendicular to the FF interfaces, incorporating a conical texture yields the most effective way to observe the signatures of the long-ranged SC. We also consider three different types of finite-sized 2D structures subjected to an applied magnetic field: a uniform SFS junction, and two SFFS configurations with differing FF bilayer arrangements. In one case, the FF interface is parallel with the SF interfaces while in the other case, the FF junction is oriented perpendicular to the SF interfaces. For the uniform SFS junction, we analytically derive the magnetic field induced SC and pair potential, providing insight into the variations of the critical SCs and proximity vortices. Our extensive computations demonstrate that the induced long-range SCs can penetrate deeply into uniform FF bilayers when singlet SCs flow parallel to the FF interfaces which is in stark contrast to configurations where SC flows perpendicular to the FF interfaces. We pinpoint the origin of the induced triplet and singlet correlations through spatial profiles of the decomposed total SCs. We find that the penetration of the long-range SCs associated with SCs flowing parallel to the FF interfaces, are more pronounced when the thickness of the F strips are unequal. Lastly, we show that the corresponding experimentally accessible SFFN spin valve presents an effective platform in which the predicted long-range effects can be effectively generated and probed.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2015

Long-Range Triplet Supercurrents Induced by Singlet Supercurrents Parallel to Magnetic Interfaces

Employing a spin-parameterized Kleldysh-Usadel technique for the diffusive regime, we demonstrate that even in the low proximity limit, considerable long-ranged triplet supercurrents can be effectively generated by spin-singlet supercurrents flowing \textit{parallel} to the interfaces of uniform double ferromagnet interlayers with noncollinear exchange fields "{\it independent}" of actual junction geometry. The triplet supercurrents are found to be most pronounced when the thicknesses of the ferromagnet strips are unequal. To experimentally verify this generic phenomenon, we propose an accessible and well-controlled structure that can fully isolate the long-range triplet effects.

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arXiv2014

Spin Controlled Coexistence of 0 and π States in SFSFS Josephson Junctions

Using the Keldysh-Usadel formalism, we theoretically study the $0$-$π$ transition profiles and current-phase relations of magnetic $SFSFS$ and $SFSFFS$ Josephson nanojunctions in the diffusive regime. By allowing the magnetizations of the ferromagnetic layers to take arbitrary orientations, the strength and direction of the charge supercurrent flowing through the ferromagnetic regions can be controlled via the magnetization rotation in one of the ferromagnetic layers. Depending on the junction parameters, we find opposite current flow in the ferromagnetic layers, revealing that remarkably such configurations possess well-controlled $0$- and $π$-states simultaneously, creating a three-terminal $0$-$π$ spin switch. We demonstrate that the spin-controlled $0$-$π$ profiles trace back to the proximity induced odd-frequency superconducting correlations generated by the ferromagnetic layers. It is also shown that the spin-switching effect can be more pronounced in $SFSFFS$ structures. The current-phase relations reveal the important role of the middle $S$ electrode, where the spin controlled supercurrent depends crucially on its thickness and phase differences with the outer $S$ terminals.

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arXiv2014

Meissner Effect Probing of Odd-Frequency Triplet Pairing in Superconducting Spin Valves

Superconducting correlations which are long-ranged in magnetic systems have attracted much attention due to their spin-polarization properties and potential use in spintronic devices. Whereas experiments have demonstrated the slow decay of such correlations, it has proven more difficult to obtain a smoking gun signature of their odd-frequency character which is responsible, e.g. for their gapless behavior. We here demonstrate that the magnetic susceptibility response of a normal metal in contact with a superconducting spin-valve provides precisely this signature, namely in form of an anomalous "positive" Meissner effect which may be tuned back to a conventional "negative" Meissner response simply by altering the magnetization configuration of the spin-valve.

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arXiv2013

Singlet-Triplet Superconducting Quantum Magnetometer

Motivated by the recent experimental realization of a quantum interference transistor based on the superconducting proximity effect, we here demonstrate that the inclusion of a textured ferromagnet both strongly enhances the flux sensitivity of such a device and additionally allows for singlet-triplet switching by tuning a bias voltage. This functionality makes explicit use of the induced spin-triplet correlations due to the magnetic texture. Whereas the existence of such triplet correlations is well-known, our finding demonstrates how spin-triplet superconductivity may be utilized for concrete technology, namely to improve the functionality of ultra-sensitive magnetometers.

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arXiv2013

Spin-controlled superconductivity and tunable triplet correlations in graphene nanostructures

We study graphene ferromagnet/superconductor/ferromagnet (F/S/F) nanostructures via a microscopic self-consistent Dirac Bogoliubov-de Gennes formalism. We show that as a result of proximity effects, experimentally accessible spin switching phenomena can occur as one tunes the Fermi level $μ_F$ of the F regions or varies the angle $θ$ between exchange field orientations. Superconductivity can then be switched on and off by varying either $θ$ or $μ_F$ (a spin-controlled superconducting graphene switch). The induced equal-spin triplet correlations in S can be controlled by tuning $μ_F$, effectively making a graphene based two-dimensional spin-triplet valve.

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arXiv2013

Asymmetric Ferromagnetic Resonance, Universal Walker Breakdown, and Counterflow Domain Wall Motion in the Presence of Multiple Spin-Orbit Torques

We study the motion of several types of domain wall profiles in spin-orbit coupled magnetic nanowires and also the influence of spin-orbit interaction on the ferromagnetic resonance of uniform magnetic films. We extend previous studies by fully considering not only the field-like contribution from the spin-orbit torque, but also the recently derived Slonczewski-like spin-orbit torque. We show that the latter interaction affects both the domain wall velocity and the Walker breakdown threshold non-trivially, which suggests that it should be accounted in experimental data analysis. We find that the presence of multiple spin-orbit torques may render the Walker breakdown to be universal in the sense that the threshold is completely independent on the material-dependent Gilbert damping, non-adiabaticity, and the chirality of the domain wall. We also find that domain wall motion against the current injection is sustained in the presence of multiple spin-orbit torques and that the wall profile will determine the qualitative influence of these different types of torques (e.g. field-like and Slonczewski-like). In addition, we consider a uniform ferromagnetic layer under a current bias, and find that the resonance frequency becomes asymmetric against the current direction in the presence of Slonczewski-like spin-orbit coupling. This is in contrast with those cases where such an interaction is absent, where the frequency is found to be symmetric with respect to the current direction. This finding shows that spin-orbit interactions may offer additional control over pumped and absorbed energy in a ferromagnetic resonance setup by manipulating the injected current direction.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2013

φ-State and Inverted Fraunhofer Pattern in Nonaligned Josephson Junctions

A generic nonaligned Josephson junction in the presence of an external magnetic field is theoretically considered and an unusual flux-dependent current-phase relation (CPR) is revealed. We explain the origin of the anomalous CPR via the current density flow induced by the external field within a two-dimensional quasiclassical Keldysh-Usadel framework. In particular, it is demonstrated that nonaligned Josephson junctions can be utilized to obtain a ground-state other than 0 and π, corresponding to a so-called φ-junction, which is tunable via the external magnetic flux. Furthermore, we show that the standard Fraunhofer central peak of the critical supercurrent may be inverted into a local minimum solely due to geometrical factors in planar junctions. This yields good consistency with a recent experimental measurement displaying such type of puzzling feature [R. S. Keizer et al, Nature 439, 825 (2006)].

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arXiv2012

Superconducting Phase Transistor in Diffusive Four-terminal Ferromagnetic Josephson Junctions

We study diffusive magnetic Josephson junctions with four superconducting terminals in the weak proximity limit where the leads are arranged in cross form. Employing the linearized Keldysh-Usadel technique, the anomalous Green's function and Josephson current are analytically obtained based on a quasiclassical theory using the Fourier series method. The derived results may be reduced to non-magnetic junctions by setting the exchange field equal to zero. We find that increments of the magnetic barrier thickness may cause a reversal of the supercurrent direction flowing into some of the leads, whereas the direction of current-flow remains invariant at the others. The reversal direction can be switched by tuning the perpendicular superconducting phases. In the non-magnetic case, we find that the supercurrent flowing between the leads in one direction can be tuned by changing the superconducting phase difference in the perpendicular direction. These findings suggest the possibility of constructing a nano-scale superconducting phase transistor whose core element consists of the proposed four-terminal Josephson junction with rich switching aspects.

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arXiv2011

Non-Fraunhofer Interference Pattern in Inhomogeneous Ferromagnetic Josephson Junctions

Generic conditions are established for producing a non-Fraunhofer response of the critical supercurrent subject to an external magnetic field in ferromagnetic Josephson junctions. Employing the quasiclassical Keldysh-Usadel method, we demonstrate theoretically that an inhomogeneity in the magnitude of the energy scales in the system, including Thouless energy, exchange field and temperature gradient normal to the transport direction, influences drastically the standard Fraunhofer pattern. The exotic non-Fraunhofer response, similar to that observed in recent experiments, is described in terms of an intricate interplay between multiple '0-pi'-states and is related to the appearance of proximity vortices.

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arXiv2011

Signatures of d-Wave Symmetry on Thermal Dirac Fermions in Graphene-Based F/I/d Junctions

We study theoretically the behavior of thermal massless Dirac fermions inside graphene-based Ferromagnetic/Insulator/d-wave (s-wave) superconductor (F/I/d and F/I/S) junctions in the ballistic regime. Using the Dirac-BdG wave functions within the three regions and appropriate boundary conditions, the Andreev and Normal reflection coefficients are derived. By employing the obtained Andreev and Normal reflection coefficients the characteristics of heat current through the F/I/d and F/I/S junctions are investigated within the thin barrier approximation. We find that for s-wave superconductors, thermal conductance oscillates sinusoidally vs barrier strength. The finding persist for the values of $α$, the orientation of d-wave superconductor crystal in the $k$-space, below $π/4$. By increasing temperature, the thermal conductance is increased exponentially for small values of $α$ and for larger values the quantity is modified to exhibit a linear behavior at $α=π/4$ which is similar to Wiedemann-Franz law for metals in low temperatures.

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arXiv2011

Thermal Transport Properties of Graphene-Based F/S/F Junctions

We present an investigation of heat transport in gapless graphene-based Ferromagnetic /singlet Superconductor/Ferromagnetic (FG$\mid$SG$\mid$FG) junctions. We find that unlike uniform increase of thermal conductance vs temperature, the thermal conductance exhibits intensive oscillatory behavior vs width of the sandwiched s-wave superconducting region between the two ferromagnetic layers. This oscillatory form is occurred by interference of the massless Dirac fermions in graphene. Also we find that the thermal conductance vs exchange field $h$ displays a minimal value at $h/E_F\simeq 1$ within the low temperature regime where this finding demonstrates that propagating modes of the Dirac fermions in this value reach at their minimum numbers and verifies the previous results for electronic conductance. We find that for thin widths of superconducting region, the thermal conductance vs temperature shows linear increment i.e. $Γ\varpropto T$. At last we propose an experimental set-up to detect our predicted effects.

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arXiv2011

Tunable Supercurrent at the Charge Neutrality Point via Strained Graphene Junctions

We theoretically calculate the charge-supercurrent through a ballistic graphene junction where superconductivity is induced via the proximity-effect. Both monolayer and bilayer graphene are considered, including the possibility of strain in the systems. We demonstrate that the supercurrent at the charge neutrality point can be tuned efficiently by means of mechanical strain. Remarkably, the supercurrent is enhanced or suppressed relative to the non-strained case depending on the direction of this strain. We also calculate the Fano factor in the normal-state of the system and show how its behavior varies depending on the direction of strain.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2011

Characteristic energies, transition temperatures, and switching effects in clean SNS graphene nanostructures

We study proximity effects in clean nanoscale superconductor-normal metal-superconductor (S$\mid$N$\mid$S) graphene heterostructures using a self-consistent numerical solution to the continuum Dirac Bogoliubov-de Gennes (DBdG) equations. We obtain results for the pair amplitude and the local density of states (DOS), as a function of doping and of the geometrical parameters determining the width of the structures. The superconducting correlations are found to penetrate the normal graphene layers even when there is extreme mismatch in the normal and superconducting doping levels, where specular Andreev reflection dominates. The local DOS exhibits peculiar features, which we discuss, arising from the Dirac cone dispersion relation and from the interplay between the superconducting and Thouless energy scales. The corresponding characteristic energies emerge in the form of resonant peaks in the local DOS, that depend strongly on the doping level, as does the energy gap, which declines sharply as the relative difference in doping between the S and N regions is reduced. We also linearize the DBdG equations and develop an essentially analytical method that determines the critical temperature $T_c$ of an \sns nanostructure self-consistently. We find that for S regions that occupy a fraction of the coherence length, $T_c$ can undergo substantial variations as a function of the relative doping. At finite temperatures and by manipulating the doping levels, the self consistent pair amplitudes reveal dramatic transitions between a superconducting and resistive normal state of the structure. Such behavior suggests the possibility of using the proposed system as a carbon-based superconducting switch, turning superconductivity on or off by tuning the relative doping levels.

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arXiv2011

In-Plane Magnetoresistance on the Surface of Topological Insulator

We study the tunneling magneto-transport properties of the Ferromagnetic Insulator-Normal Insulator-Ferromagnetic Insulator(F$\mid$N$\mid$F) and Ferromagnetic Insulator-Barrier Insulator-Ferromagnetic Insulator (F$\mid$B$\mid$F) junctions on the surface of topological insulator in which in-plane magnetization directions of both ferromagnetic sides can be parallel and antiparallel. We derive analytical expressions for electronic conductances of the two mentioned junctions with both parallel and antiparallel directions of magnetization and using them calculate magnetoresistance of the two junctions. We use thin barrier approximation for investigating the F$\mid$B$\mid$F junction. We find that although magnetoresistance of the F$\mid$N$\mid$F and F$\mid$B$\mid$F junctions are tunable by changing the strength of magnetization texture, they show different behaviors with variation of magnetization. In contrast to the magnetoresistance of F$\mid$N$\mid$F, magnetoresistance of F$\mid$B$\mid$F junctions shows very smooth enhance by increasing the strength of magnetization. We suggest an experimental set up to detect our predicted effects.

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