arXiv subjects

Sunghun Park

Publications and source records attributed to Sunghun Park.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Adiabatic self-vibrations of a movable Cooper-pair box generated by inelastic Andreev tunneling

Self-sustained oscillators produce stable periodic motion robust to dissipation. Such motion is usually achieved by work fed back into the oscillator, but its performance is often limited by frequency-dependent operation. Here we propose a scheme for self-sustained vibrations without external feedback. We consider a movable Cooper-pair box attached to the free end of a voltage-biased normal-metal pillar. The Cooper-pair box carries an Andreev current subject to an electric field applied perpendicular to the current. In the adiabatic limit, where the Cooper-pair box state follows its motion, vibrational instability occurs, pumped by inelastic Andreev tunneling. Nonlinearity of the Josephson coupling saturates the vibrational amplitude, resulting in two-dimensional self-vibrations. We discuss the advantage of this adiabatic scheme in comparison with feedback-induced self-oscillation.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2025

Boundary-induced Majorana coupling in a planar topological Josephson junction

Understanding environmental effects in a topological Josephson junction is vital for identifying signatures of Majorana modes. We consider a planar Josephson junction formed on the surface of a three-dimensional topological insulator, which possesses Majorana modes inside the junction and boundary modes outside. We find that tunneling between the inner and outer modes gives rise to effective coupling between the inner Majorana modes, and hence induces energy splitting of their states even in the absence of the direct spatial overlap of their wave functions. The energy splitting is obtained analytically in the weak tunneling limit and is numerically investigated for an arbitrary tunneling strength. We discuss in detail the evolution of the energy splitting with an external perpendicular magnetic field and its effect on the shape of the Fraunhofer pattern.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2024

Electric Control of Polarity in Spin-Orbit Josephson Diode

The effect of spin-orbit coupling in a Josephson diode has not been elucidated due to its interplay with the complexity of Josephson devices. Here, we systematically control local electric fields in epitaxial Al-InAs Josephson junctions under in-plane magnetic fields and observe a polarity reversal of the Josephson diode. We interpret this polarity reversal as an effect of field-tunable spin-orbit coupling on nonreciprocal Josephson currents. A theoretical model, accounting for Rashba and Dresselhaus spin-orbit couplings in a planar Josephson junction containing many transverse subbands, aligns with the observed polarity reversal and its dependence on magnetic field. Our finding addresses spin-orbit control in a Josephson diode, enabling manipulation of Josephson harmonics.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2023

Bolometric detection of Josephson inductance in a highly resistive environment

The Josephson junction is a building block of quantum circuits. Its behavior, well understood when treated as an isolated entity, is strongly affected by coupling to an electromagnetic environment. In 1983, Schmid predicted that a Josephson junction shunted by a resistance exceeding the resistance quantum $\mathbf{\textit{R}}_\mathrm{Q} = h/4e^2 \approx 6.45$ k$\mathbfΩ$ for Cooper pairs would become insulating since the phase fluctuations would destroy the coherent Josephson coupling. However, recent microwave measurements have questioned this interpretation. Here, we insert a small Josephson junction in a Johnson-Nyquist-type setup where it is driven by weak current noise arising from thermal fluctuations. Our heat probe minimally perturbs the junction's equilibrium, shedding light on features not visible in charge transport. We find that the Josephson critical current completely vanishes in DC charge transport measurement, and the junction demonstrates Coulomb blockade in agreement with the theory. Surprisingly, thermal transport measurements show that the Josephson junction acts as an inductor at high frequencies, unambiguously demonstrating that a supercurrent survives despite the Coulomb blockade observed in DC measurements. The discrepancy between these two measurements highlights the difference between the low and the high frequency response of a junction and calls for further theoretical and experimental inputs on the dynamics of Josephson junctions \textcolor{black}{operating at high frequencies in highly resistive environments.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2023

Dynamical parity selection in superconducting weak links

Excess quasiparticles play a crucial role in superconducting quantum devices ranging from qubits to quantum sensors. In this work we analyze their dynamics for phase-biased finite-length weak links with several Andreev subgap states, where the coupling to a microwave resonator allows for parity state (even/odd) readout. Our theory shows that almost perfect dynamical polarization in a given parity sector is achievable by applying a microwave pulse matching a transition in the opposite parity sector. Our results qualitatively explain key features of recent experiments on hybrid semiconducting nanowire Josephson junctions and provide theoretical guidelines for efficiently controlling the parity state of Andreev qubits.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2022

Signatures of interactions in the Andreev spectrum of nanowire Josephson junctions

We performed microwave spectroscopy of an InAs nanowire between superconducting contacts implementing a finite-length, multi-channel Josephson weak link. Certain features in the spectra, such as the splitting by spin-orbit interactions of the transition lines among Andreev states, have been already understood in terms of non-interacting models. However, we identify here additional transitions, which evidence the presence of Coulomb interactions. By combining experimental measurements and model calculations, we reach a qualitative understanding of these very rich Andreev spectra.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2021

Coherent coupling between vortex bound states and magnetic impurities in 2D layered superconductors

Bound states in superconductors are expected to exhibit a spatially resolved electron-hole asymmetry which is the hallmark of their quantum nature. This asymmetry manifests as oscillations at the Fermi wavelength, which is usually tiny and thus washed out by thermal broadening or by scattering at defects. Here we demonstrate theoretically and confirm experimentally that, when coupled to magnetic impurities, bound states in a vortex core exhibit an emergent axial electron-hole asymmetry on a much longer scale, set by the coherence length. We study vortices in 2H-NbSe$_2$ and in 2H-NbSe$_{1.8}$S_{0.2}$ with magnetic impurities, characterizing these with detailed Hubbard-corrected density functional calculations. We find that the induced electron-hole imbalance depends on the band character of the superconducting material. Our results open interesting prospects for the study of coupled superconducting bound states.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2021

Circuit-QED with phase-biased Josephson weak links

By coupling a superconducting weak link to a microwave resonator, recent experiments probed the spectrum and achieved the quantum manipulation of Andreev states in various systems. However, the quantitative understanding of the response of the resonator to changes in the occupancy of the Andreev levels, which are of fermionic nature, is missing. Here, using Bogoliubov-de Gennes formalism to describe the weak link and a general formulation of the coupling to the resonator, we calculate the shift of the resonator frequency as a function of the levels occupancy and describe how transitions are induced by phase or electric field microwave drives. We apply this formalism to analyze recent experimental results obtained using circuit-QED techniques on superconducting atomic contacts and semiconducting nanowire Josephson junctions.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2020

Electron-Tunneling-Assisted Non-Abelian Braiding of Rotating Majorana Bound States

It has been argued that fluctuations of fermion parity are harmful for the demonstration of non-Abelian anyonic statistics. Here, we demonstrate a striking exception in which such fluctuations are actively used. We present a theory of coherent electron transport from a tunneling tip into a Corbino geometry Josephson junction where four Majorana bound states (MBSs) rotate. While the MBSs rotate, electron tunneling happens from the tip to one of the MBSs thereby changing the fermion parity of the MBSs. The tunneling events in combination with the rotation allow us to identify a novel braiding operator that does not commute with the braiding cycles in the absence of tunneling, revealing the non-Abelian nature of MBSs. The time-averaged tunneling current exhibits resonances as a function of the tip voltage with a period that is a direct consequence of the interference between the non-commuting braiding operations. Our work opens up a possibility for utilizing parity non-conserving processes to control non-Abelian states.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2020

From adiabatic to dispersive readout of quantum circuits

Spectral properties of a quantum circuit are efficiently read out by monitoring the resonance frequency shift it induces in a microwave resonator coupled to it. When the two systems are strongly detuned, theory attributes the shift to an effective resonator capacitance or inductance that depends on the quantum circuit state. At small detuning, the shift arises from the exchange of virtual photons, as described by the Jaynes-Cummings model. Here we present a theory bridging these two limits and illustrate, with several examples, its necessity for a general description of quantum circuits readout.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2020

Transport signatures of Majorana bound states in superconducting hybrid structures

In this minireview, we outline the recent experimental and theoretical progress in the creation, characterization and manipulation of Majorana bound states (MBSs) in semiconductor-superconductor (SC) hybrid structures. After an introductory overview of the broader field we specifically focus on four of our recent projects in this direction. We show that the emergence of Fano resonances in the differential conductance in a normal lead-Majorana nanowire-quantum dot setup can be exploited to determine if a single MBS is contacted by the normal lead and the quantum dot providing an experimental test of the non-locality of MBSs. In the second project, the tunnel-coupling to two MBSs in an $s$-wave SC-Majorana nanowire Josephson junction (JJ) leads to a finite contribution of the MBSs to the equilibrium Josephson current probing directly the local spin-singlet contribution of the Majorana pair. We then shift our focus from MBSs forming in nanowire systems to MBSs forming in topological JJs. In a single sheet of buckled silicene with proximity induced superconductivity two local electric fields can be used to tune the junction between a topologically trivial and topologically non-trivial regime. In a Corbino geometry topological Josephson junction two MBSs harbored in Josephson vortices can rotate along the JJ and, in the course of this, will be exchanged periodically in the phase difference of the JJ. The tunneling current in a metal tip coupled to the JJ is shown to exhibit signs of the anyonic braiding phase of two MBSs.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2018

Spin-orbit splitting of Andreev states revealed by microwave spectroscopy

We have performed microwave spectroscopy of Andreev states in superconducting weak links tailored in an InAs-Al (core-full shell) epitaxially-grown nanowire. The spectra present distinctive features, with bundles of four lines crossing when the superconducting phase difference across the weak link is 0 or $π.$ We interpret these as arising from zero-field spin-split Andreev states. A simple analytical model, which takes into account the Rashba spin-orbit interaction in a nanowire containing several transverse subbands, explains these features and their evolution with magnetic field. Our results show that the spin degree of freedom is addressable in Josephson junctions, and constitute a first step towards its manipulation.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2018

Electrically controlled crossover between $2π$- and $4π$-Josephson effects through topologically-confined channels in silicene

We propose a tunable topological Josephson junction in silicene where electrostatic gates could switch between a trivial and a topological junction. These aspects are a consequence of a tunable phase transition of the topologically confined valley-chiral states from a spin-degenerate to a spin-helical regime. We calculate the Andreev bound states in such a junction analytically using a low-energy approximation to the tight-binding model of silicene in proximity to s-wave superconductors as well as numerically in the short- and long-junction regime and in the presence of intervalley scattering. Combining topologically trivial and non-trivial regions, we show how intervalley scattering can be effectively switched on and off within the Josephson junction. This constitutes a topological Josephson junction with an electrically tunable quasiparticle poisoning source.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2017

Andreev spin qubits in multichannel Rashba nanowires

We theoretically analyze the Andreev bound states and their coupling to external radiation in superconductor-nanowire-superconductor Josephson junctions. We provide an effective Hamiltonian for the junction projected onto the Andreev level subspace and incorporating the effects of nanowire multichannel structure, Rashba spin-orbit coupling, and Zeeman field. Based on this effective model, we investigate the dependence of the Andreev levels and the matrix elements of the current operator on system parameters such as chemical potential, nanowire dimensions, and normal transmission. We show that the combined effect of the multichannel structure and the spin-orbit coupling gives rise to finite current matrix elements between odd states having different spin polarizations. Moreover, our analytical results allow to determine the appropriate parameters range for the detection of transitions between even as well as odd states in circuit QED like experiments, which may provide a way for the Andreev spin qubit manipulation.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2015

Detecting the Exchange Phase of Majorana Bound States in a Corbino Geometry Topological Josephson Junction

A phase from an adiabatic exchange of Majorana bound states (MBS) reveals their exotic anyonic nature. For detecting this exchange phase, we propose an experimental setup consisting of a Corbino-geometry Josephson junction on the surface of a topological insulator, in which two MBS at zero energy can be created and rotated. We find that if a metallic tip is weakly coupled to a point on the junction, the time-averaged differential conductance of the tip-Majorana coupling shows peaks at the tip voltages $eV = \pm (α- 2πl) \hbar/ T_J$, where $α= π/2$ is the exchange phase of the two circulating MBS, $T_J$ is the half rotation time of MBS, and $l$ an integer. This result constitutes a clear experimental signature of Majorana fermion exchange.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2014

Absence of Aharonov-Bohm effect of chiral Majorana fermion edge states

Majorana fermions in a superconductor hybrid system are charge neutral zero-energy states. For the detection of this unique feature, we propose an interferometry of a chiral Majorana edge channel, formed along the interface between a superconductor and a topological insulator under an external magnetic field. The superconductor is of a ring shape and has a Josephson junction that allows the Majorana state to enclose continuously tunable magnetic flux. Zero-bias differential electron conductance between the Majorana state and a normal lead is found to be independent of the flux at zero temperature, manifesting the Majorana feature of a charge neutral zero-energy state. In contrast, the same setup on graphene has no Majorana state and shows Aharonov-Bohm effects.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2014

Geometric phase at graphene edge

We study the scattering phase shift of Dirac fermions at graphene edge. We find that when a plane wave of a Dirac fermion is reflected at an edge of graphene, its reflection phase is shifted by the geometric phase resulting from the change of the pseudospin of the Dirac fermion in the reflection. The geometric phase is the Pancharatnam-Berry phase that equals the half of the solid angle on Bloch sphere determined by the propagation direction of the incident wave and also by the orientation angle of the graphene edge. The geometric phase is finite at zigzag edge in general, while it always vanishes at armchair edge because of intervalley mixing. To demonstrate its physical effects, we first connect the geometric phase with the energy band structure of graphene nanoribbon with zigzag edge. The magnitude of the band gap of the nanoribbon, that opens in the presence of the staggered sublattice potential induced by edge magnetization, is related to the geometric phase. Second, we numerically study the effect of the geometric phase on the Veselago lens formed in a graphene nanoribbon. The interference pattern of the lens is distinguished between armchair and zigzag nanoribbons, which is useful for detecting the geometric phase.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2012

Local and Tunable Geometric Phase of Dirac Fermions in a Topological Junction

We discover a new type of geometric phase of Dirac fermions in solids, which is an electronic analogue of the Pancharatnam phase of polarized light. The geometric phase occurs in a local and nonadiabatic scattering event of Dirac fermions at a junction, unveiling topological aspects of scattering of chiral particles, and it is experimentally tunable to an arbitrary value. It provides a unique approach of detecting the topological order of the insulator in a metal-insulator junction of Dirac fermions, establishing new bulk-edge correspondence. The geometric phase also modifies the fundamental quantization rule of Dirac fermions, suggesting topological devices with nontrivial charge and spin transport such as a topological wave guide and a topological transistor.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗