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Nadav Drechsler

Publications and source records attributed to Nadav Drechsler.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

Observation of Critical Current Minimum in Super-Honeycomb Josephson Junction Arrays

Superconductor-semiconductor Josephson junction arrays are a uniquely tunable platform for studying collective quantum phenomena, particularly in the regime where localized Andreev bound states can hybridize across the lattice when the physical separation between adjacent junctions is smaller than their coherence length ($ξ_{\text{ABS}}>d_{\text{JJ}}$). Here, we investigate three distinct Al-InAs Josephson junction arrays: a square array and super-honeycomb array fabricated within this ${ξ_{\text{ABS}}>d_{\text{JJ}}}$ regime, as well as a larger-spacing super-honeycomb control device designed such that $ξ_{\text{ABS}}\lesssim\!~d_{\text{JJ}}$. Under an out-of-plane field, critical current peaks emerge at rational filling factors, reflecting stable vortex configurations in the lattices. In the super-honeycomb lattice, vortices localize to distinct non-identical plaquettes at different filling factors, as predicted by frustrated XY model simulations. A rotating in-plane field yields periodic critical current oscillations that reflect the Rashba spin-orbit coupling inherent to the InAs quantum well. Surprisingly, at $f = 1$, the closely spaced super-honeycomb array exhibits a distinct critical current minimum as the magnitude of the in-plane field increases, a signature absent in the square array and large-spacing super-honeycomb array. These results indicate that this signature is jointly influenced by the unique geometry of the super-honeycomb vortex lattice and by long-range inter-junction hybridization.

cond-mat.mes-hall

Electron Interference as a Probe of Majorana Zero Modes

Detecting Majorana zero modes (MZMs) in topological superconductors remains challenging, as localized non-topological states can mimic MZM signatures. Here, we propose electron interferometry by non-local transport measurements as a definitive probe to distinguish MZMs from non-topological states. We develop an analytical minimal model showing that interference via two MZMs exhibits a robust pattern, in contrast to a non-topological system. We then numerically confirm this using various topological superconductor models. We find that MZMs are characterized by an interference pattern that is insensitive to various perturbations, such as electrostatic gate potential, and resilient to disorder. Our proposed interferometry approach offers an experimentally accessible means to detect MZMs, probing their underlying nature through a universal response.

cond-mat.mes-hall

Deep Radiative Cooling Passive Dew Collection

We show how to overcome almost every major limitation in passive dew collection including: parasitic heating, parasitic evaporation, uncontrolled wind conditions, and performing dew collection 24 hours per day at nearly arbitrary relative humidity. We incorporate an ideal selective emitter in a simple thermal-equilibrium dew collection model that relies on an important physical insight -- that the roles of the radiative emitter and dew collector should be decoupled to achieve optimal dew harvesting. Previous models of passive dew collection strongly coupled those roles leading to nonideal theoretical limits. Our model necessitates deep radiative cooling (i.e., radiative cooling very far below ambient temperature) and that all forms of conductive and convective heating of the emitter have been eliminated. We further propose and tested a passive, self-regulating, gravity-fed airflow design that eliminates uncontrollable wind conditions or externally-driven airflow systems. Under somewhat realistic atmospheric scenarios, the theory predicts in excess of 80 grams/m$^2$/hour and 1.5 L/m$^2$/day which greatly exceeds the current theoretical limits of 0.7 L/m$^2$/day. We discuss how this can be further improved. We tested the validity of the equilibrium model and the gravity-fed airflow using a laboratory experiment that replicated the radiative emitter/dew collector system with the hot and cold side of a well-calibrated thermo-electric cooler. These ideas not only point to improved dew collection yields, but that dew can be collected 24 hours per day even at low relative humidity.

physics.app-ph