Phase tuning of multiple Andreev reflections of Dirac fermions and the Josephson supercurrent in Al–MoTe2–Al junctions

Zhu, Zheyi; Kim, Stephan; Lei, Shiming; Schoop, Leslie M.; Cava, R. J.; Ong, N. P.

doi:10.1073/pnas.2204468119

Phase tuning of multiple Andreev reflections of Dirac fermions and the Josephson supercurrent in Al–MoTe₂–Al junctions

Journal Article · Fri Jul 08 00:00:00 EDT 2022 · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2204468119· OSTI ID:1904403

Zhu, Zheyi ^[1]; Kim, Stephan ^[2]; Lei, Shiming ^[2]; Schoop, Leslie M. ^[2]; Cava, R. J. ^[2]; ^[2]

Princeton Univ., NJ (United States); OSTI
Princeton Univ., NJ (United States)

When an electron is incident on a superconductor from a metal, it is reflected as a hole in a process called Andreev reflection. If the metal N is sandwiched between two superconductors S in an SNS junction, multiple Andreev reflections (MARs) occur. We have found that, in SNS junctions with high transparency (τ → 1) based on the Dirac semimetal MoTe₂, the MAR features are observed with exceptional resolution. By tuning the phase difference φ between the bracketing Al superconductors, we establish that the MARs coexist with a Josephson supercurrent I_s=I_A sin φ. As we vary the junction voltage V, the supercurrent amplitude I_A varies in step with the MAR order n, revealing a direct relation between them. Two successive Andreev reflections serve to shuttle a Cooper pair across the junction. If the pair is shuttled coherently, it contributes to I_s. The experiment measures the fraction of pairs shuttled coherently vs. V. Surprisingly, superconductivity in MoTe₂ does not affect the MAR features.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Princeton Univ., NJ (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC); National Science Foundation (NSF); Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation

Grant/Contract Number:: SC0017863

OSTI ID:: 1904403

Journal Information:: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, Journal Name: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America Journal Issue: 28 Vol. 119; ISSN 0027-8424

Publisher:: National Academy of SciencesCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
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Phase tuning of multiple Andreev reflections of Dirac fermions and the Josephson supercurrent in Al–MoTe2–Al junctions

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References (26)

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Phase tuning of multiple Andreev reflections of Dirac fermions and the Josephson supercurrent in Al–MoTe₂–Al junctions