Inhomogeneity-induced time-reversal symmetry breaking in cuprate twist junctions
Andrew C. Yuan, Yaar Vituri, Erez Berg, Boris Spivak, Steven A. Kivelson
DOI 10.1103/PhysRevB.108.L100505 · Physical Review B
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Abstract
The lowest-order Josephson coupling, J1(θ)cos(ϕ), between two d-wave superconductors with a phase difference ϕ across the junction vanishes when their relative orientation is rotated by θ=π/4. However, in the presence of inhomogeneity, J1(r) is nonzero locally, with a sign that fluctuates in space. We show that such a random J1 generates a global second-harmonic Josephson coupling, J2cos(2ϕ), with a sign that favors ϕ=±π/2, i.e., spontaneous breaking of time-reversal symmetry. The magnitude of J2 is substantially enhanced if the spatial correlations of J1(r) extend over large distances, such as would be expected in the presence of large-amplitude twist-angle disorder or significant local electronic nematicity. We argue that this effect likely accounts for the recent observations in twisted Josephson junctions between high-temperature superconductors.
Source-reported materials — not catalogue approval
| Formula | Reported Tc (K) | Pressure (GPa) | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ Archive — visibility unverified Source-occurrence policy only; no material identity or catalogue acceptance is inferred from the formula. | — | Pressure not reported | unknown |
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