Theory of the Supercurrent Diode Effect in Rashba Superconductors with Arbitrary Disorder

S. Ilić and F. S. Bergeret
Phys. Rev. Lett. 128, 177001 – Published 27 April 2022
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Abstract

We calculate the nonreciprocal critical current and quantify the supercurrent diode effect in two-dimensional Rashba superconductors with arbitrary disorder, using the quasiclassical Eilenberger equation. The nonreciprocity is caused by the helical superconducting state, which appears when both inversion and time-reversal symmetries are broken. In the absence of disorder, we find a very strong diode effect, with the nonreciprocity exceeding 40% at optimal temperatures, magnetic fields, and spin-orbit coupling. We establish that the effect persists even in the presence of strong disorder. We show that the sign of the diode effect changes as magnetic field and disorder are increased, reflecting the changes in the nature of the helical state.

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  • Received 26 January 2022
  • Revised 22 March 2022
  • Accepted 31 March 2022

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.128.177001

© 2022 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Condensed Matter, Materials & Applied Physics

Authors & Affiliations

S. Ilić1 and F. S. Bergeret1,2

  • 1Centro de Física de Materiales (CFM-MPC), Centro Mixto CSIC-UPV/EHU, Manuel de Lardizabal 5, E-20018 San Sebastián, Spain
  • 2Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC), Manuel de Lardizabal 4, E-20018 San Sebastián, Spain

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Issue

Vol. 128, Iss. 17 — 29 April 2022

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