open access publication

Article, 2024

Tuning the Josephson diode response with an ac current

Physical Review Research, ISSN 2643-1564, Volume 6, 2, 10.1103/PhysRevResearch.6.L022002

Contributors

Souto R.S. 0000-0002-2978-3534 [1] [2] [3] Leijnse M. 0000-0003-3639-8594 [2] [3] Schrade C. [3] [4] Valentini M. 0000-0003-1169-7168 [5] Katsaros G. 0000-0001-8342-202X [5] Danon J. 0000-0001-8088-8772 [6]

Affiliations

  1. [1] Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid
  2. [NORA names: Spain; Europe, EU; OECD];
  3. [2] Lund University
  4. [NORA names: Sweden; Europe, EU; Nordic; OECD];
  5. [3] Niels Bohr Institute
  6. [NORA names: KU University of Copenhagen; University; Denmark; Europe, EU; Nordic; OECD];
  7. [4] Louisiana State University
  8. [NORA names: United States; America, North; OECD];
  9. [5] Institute of Science and Technology Austria
  10. [NORA names: Austria; Europe, EU; OECD];

Abstract

Josephson diodes are superconducting elements that show an asymmetry in the critical current depending on the direction of the current. Here, we theoretically explore how an alternating current bias can tune the response of such a diode. We show that for slow driving there is always a regime where the system can only carry zero-voltage dc current in one direction, thus effectively behaving as an ideal Josephson diode. Under fast driving, the diode efficiency is also tunable, although the ideal regime cannot be reached in this case. We also investigate the residual dissipation due to the time-dependent current bias and show that it remains small. All our conclusions are solely based on the critical current asymmetry of the junction, and are thus compatible with any Josephson diode.

Funders

  • Vetenskapsrådet
  • Microsoft
  • Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities
  • Horizon 2020
  • Spanish CM Talento Program
  • Austrian Science Fund
  • European Research Council

Data Provider: Elsevier