Observation of superconducting diode effect in antiferromagnetic Mott insulator $α$-RuCl$_3$

Jiadian He, Yifan Ding, Xiaohui Zeng, Yiwen Zhang, Yanjiang Wang, Peng Dong, Xiang Zhou, Yueshen Wu, Kecheng Cao, Kejing Ran, Jinghui Wang, Yulin Chen, Kenji Watanabe, Takashi Taniguchi, Shun-Li Yu, Jian-Xin Li, Jinsheng Wen, Jun Li
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Abstract

Nonreciprocal superconductivity, also called as superconducting diode effect that spontaneously breaks time-reversal symmetry, is characterized by asymmetric critical currents under opposite applied current directions. This distinct state unveils a rich ore of intriguing physical properties, particularly in the realm of nanoscience application of superconductors. Towards the experimental realization of superconducting diode effect, the construction of two-dimensional heterostructures of magnets and $s$-wave superconductors is considered to be a promising pathway. In this study, we present our findings of superconducting diode effect manifested in the magnetic Mott insulator $\alpha$-RuCl$_3$. This phenomenon is induced by the proximity effect within a van der Waals heterostructure, consisting of thin $\alpha$-RuCl$_3$/NbSe$_2$ flakes. Through transport property measurements, we have confirmed a weak superconducting gap of 0.2 meV, which is significantly lower than the intrinsic gap of NbSe$_2$(1.2 meV). Upon the application of a weak magnetic field below 70 mT, we observed an asymmetry in the critical currents under positive and negative applied currents. This observation demonstrates a typical superconducting diode effect in the superconducting $\alpha$-RuCl$_3$. The superconducting diode effect and nonreciprocal resistance are observed exclusively when the magnetic field is aligned out-of-plane. This suggests that an Ising-type spin-orbit coupling in the superconducting $\alpha$-RuCl$_3$ may be responsible for the mechanism. Our findings furnish a platform for the exploration of superconducting diode effect via the artificial construction of heterostructures.
观测反铁磁性莫特绝缘体 $α$-RuCl$_3$ 中的超导二极管效应
非互惠超导又称超导二极管效应,它自发地打破了时间反向对称性,其特征是在相反的外加电流方向下产生不对称的临界电流。为了在实验中实现超导二极管效应,构建磁体和 $s$ 波超导体的二维异质结构被认为是一条大有可为的途径。在本研究中,我们将介绍我们在磁性莫特绝缘体 $\alpha$-RuCl$_3$ 中发现的超导二极管效应。这种现象是由范德瓦尔斯异质结构(由薄片$\alpha$-RuCl$_3$/NbSe$_2$组成)中的近端效应诱发的。通过输运特性测量,我们证实了 0.2 meV 的微弱超导间隙,大大低于 NbSe$_2$ 的本征间隙(1.2 meV)。在施加低于 70 mT 的弱磁场时,我们观察到临界电流在正负外加电流下不对称。这一观察结果证明了超导$α$-RuCl$_3$中典型的超导二极管效应。超导二极管效应和非互易电阻只在磁场偏离平面时才会出现。这表明超导$\alpha$-RuCl$_3$中的伊辛型自旋轨道耦合可能是造成这种机制的原因。我们的发现为通过人工构建异质结构探索超导二极管效应提供了一个平台。
本文章由计算机程序翻译,如有差异,请以英文原文为准。
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