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Biharmonic-Drive Tunable Josephson Diode
Laura Borgongino1, Rubén Seoane Souto2, Alessandro Paghi1
1NEST, Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR and Scuola Normale Superiore, I-56127, Pisa, Italy.
Nano Letters
|September 17, 2025
Summary
Researchers developed a novel superconducting diode effect using a standard Josephson junction and a biharmonic AC drive. This breakthrough enables efficient, wireless control of supercurrent directionality, paving the way for advanced cryogenic electronics.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Quantum Electronics
Background:
- The superconducting diode effect allows directional supercurrent flow, crucial for cryogenic electronics.
- Existing methods require complex materials or magnetic fields, limiting scalability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate a new method for achieving the superconducting diode effect.
- To enable wireless control over diode polarity and efficiency.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing a conventional Josephson junction driven by a biharmonic alternating-current (AC) signal.
- Employing an antenna for wireless modulation of the diode's characteristics.
Main Results:
- Achieved ideal 100% diode efficiency across a wide frequency range.
- Demonstrated temperature resilience up to 800 mK.
- Showcased efficient AC signal rectification and wireless polarity control.
Conclusions:
- This versatile superconducting diode is platform-independent.
- It offers a promising component for superconducting digital electronics, including logic gates and switches.
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