Link between supercurrent diode and anomalous Josephson effect revealed by gate-controlled interferometry.

Reinhardt, S; Ascherl, T; Costa, A; Berger, J; Gronin, S; Gardner, G C; Lindemann, T; Manfra, M J et al. · Nat Commun · 2024

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

In Josephson diodes the asymmetry between positive and negative current branch of the current-phase relation leads to a polarity-dependent critical current and Josephson inductance. The supercurrent nonreciprocity can be described as a consequence of the anomalous Josephson effect -a φ<sub>0</sub>-shift of the current-phase relation- in multichannel ballistic junctions with strong spin-orbit interaction. In this work, we simultaneously investigate φ<sub>0</sub>-shift and supercurrent diode efficiency on the same Josephson junction by means of a superconducting quantum interferometer. By electrostatic gating, we reveal a direct link between φ<sub>0</sub>-shift and diode effect. Our findings show that spin-orbit interaction in combination with a Zeeman field plays an important role in determining the magnetochiral anisotropy and the supercurrent diode effect.