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Detecting Topological Superconductivity with $\varphi_{0}$ Josephson Junctions
Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics · Submitted 26 Jul 2016
abstract compiled · 2026-09-23 · no language-model review
The authors' main claim Here, we theoretically show that a quantum dot $\varphi_{0}$ Josephson junction can serve as a new qualitative indicator for topological superconductivity: Microscopically, we find that the phase shift in a junction of $s-$wave superconductors is due to the spin-orbit induced mixing of singly occupied states on the qantum dot, while for a topological superconductor junction it is due to singlet-triplet mixing.
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The abstract, sentence by sentence
The interplay of superconductivity, magnetic fields, and spin-orbit interaction lies at the heart of topological superconductivity. Remarkably, the recent experimental discovery of $\varphi_{0}$ Josephson junctions by Szombati et al., Nat. Phys. 12, 568 (2016), characterized by a finite phase offset in the supercurrent, require the same ingredients as topological superconductors, which suggests a profound connection between these two distinct phenomena. Here, we theoretically show that a quantum dot $\varphi_{0}$ Josephson junction can serve as a new qualitative indicator for topological superconductivity: Microscopically, we find that the phase shift in a junction of $s-$wave superconductors is due to the spin-orbit induced mixing of singly occupied states on the qantum dot, while for a topological superconductor junction it is due to singlet-triplet mixing. Because of this important difference, when the spin-orbit vector of the quantum dot and the external Zeeman field are orthogonal, the $s$-wave superconductors form a $\pi$ Josephson junction while the topological superconductors have a finite offset $\varphi_{0}$ by which topological superconductivity can be distinguished from conventional superconductivity. Our prediction can be immediately tested in nanowire systems currently used for Majorana fermion experiments and thus offers a new and realistic approach for detecting topological bound states.
background contribution method result interpretation main claim
| # | sentence | role | the authors' own work | states the main conclusion | strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| s0 | The interplay of superconductivity, magnetic fields, and spin-orbit interaction lies at the heart of topological superconductivity. | background 1.00 | 0.04 | 0.02 | asserted 1.00 |
| s1 | Remarkably, the recent experimental discovery of $\varphi_{0}$ Josephson junctions by Szombati et al., Nat. Phys. 12, 568 (2016), characterized by a finite phase offset in the supercurrent, require the same ingredients as topological superconductors, which suggests a profound connection between these two distinct phenomena. | background 0.99 | 0.03 | 0.06 | hedged possibility 0.92 |
| s2 | Here, we theoretically show that a quantum dot $\varphi_{0}$ Josephson junction can serve as a new qualitative indicator for topological superconductivity: Microscopically, we find that the phase shift in a junction of $s-$wave superconductors is due to the spin-orbit induced mixing of singly occupied states on the qantum dot, while for a topological superconductor junction it is due to singlet-triplet mixing. | contribution 0.87 | 0.95 | 0.79 | asserted 1.00 |
| s3 | Because of this important difference, when the spin-orbit vector of the quantum dot and the external Zeeman field are orthogonal, the $s$-wave superconductors form a $\pi$ Josephson junction while the topological superconductors have a finite offset $\varphi_{0}$ by which topological superconductivity can be distinguished from conventional superconductivity. | result 0.93 | 0.86 | 0.51 | asserted 0.99 |
| s4 | Our prediction can be immediately tested in nanowire systems currently used for Majorana fermion experiments and thus offers a new and realistic approach for detecting topological bound states. | future work 0.56 | 0.33 | 0.21 | asserted 0.80 |
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The paper
Original abstract
The interplay of superconductivity, magnetic fields, and spin-orbit interaction lies at the heart of topological superconductivity. Remarkably, the recent experimental discovery of $\varphi_{0}$ Josephson junctions by Szombati et al., Nat. Phys. 12, 568 (2016), characterized by a finite phase offset in the supercurrent, require the same ingredients as topological superconductors, which suggests a profound connection between these two distinct phenomena. Here, we theoretically show that a quantum dot $\varphi_{0}$ Josephson junction can serve as a new qualitative indicator for topological superconductivity: Microscopically, we find that the phase shift in a junction of $s-$wave superconductors is due to the spin-orbit induced mixing of singly occupied states on the qantum dot, while for a topological superconductor junction it is due to singlet-triplet mixing. Because of this important difference, when the spin-orbit vector of the quantum dot and the external Zeeman field are orthogonal, the $s$-wave superconductors form a $\pi$ Josephson junction while the topological superconductors have a finite offset $\varphi_{0}$ by which topological superconductivity can be distinguished from conventional superconductivity. Our prediction can be immediately tested in nanowire systems currently used for Majorana fermion experiments and thus offers a new and realistic approach for detecting topological bound states.
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How the literature uses it
3 arXiv papers cite this in 3 sentences
Papers citing it · 1 sentence without a confident label
Cites it as background 2 papers
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The AJE has been predicted in junctions which combine conventional superconductors with magnetism and spin-orbital interaction [ref] , between unconventional superconductors [ref] , and topologically non-trivial superconducting leads [ref] .
Anomalous current in diffusive ferromagnetic Josephson junctions · Introduction · 0.85
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In this manuscript, we study MFs formed in a quantum wire with proximity-induced superconductivity near a quantum dot, [ref] which is also formed inside a quantum wire, all of which are subject to an applied magnetic field perpendicular to the SOI.
Spin-dependent coupling between quantum dots and topological quantum wires · Introduction · 0.82
What it cites
Cites as background 3 papers
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It has been proposed that such a TS can be induced by an $s$-wave superconductor (SC) in systems of nanowires with spin-orbit interaction (SOI) subject to a Zeeman field [ref] , in chains of magnetic atoms [ref] and in topological insulators [ref] .
Probing Atomic Structure and Majorana Wavefunctions in Mono-Atomic Fe-chains on Superconducting Pb-Surface · Introduction · 0.96
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It has been proposed that such a TS can be induced by an $s$-wave superconductor (SC) in systems of nanowires with spin-orbit interaction (SOI) subject to a Zeeman field [ref] , in chains of magnetic atoms [ref] and in topological insulators [ref] .
Gapless Andreev bound states in the quantum spin Hall insulator HgTe · Introduction · 0.96
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It has been proposed that such a TS can be induced by an $s$-wave superconductor (SC) in systems of nanowires with spin-orbit interaction (SOI) subject to a Zeeman field [ref] , in chains of magnetic atoms [ref] and in topological insulators [ref] .
Josephson radiation from gapless Andreev bound states in HgTe-based topological junctions · Introduction · 0.96
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