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Field-Free Superconducting Diode Enabled by Geometric Asymmetry and Perpendicular Magnetization
Jiaxu Li1, Zijian Zhang1, Shiqi Wang1
1School of Integrated Circuit Science and Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191, China.
Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
|November 10, 2025
Summary
Researchers developed a highly efficient, field-free superconducting diode effect using Pt/Co/Nb heterostructures. This breakthrough enables directional supercurrents for advanced superconducting electronics and cryogenic spintronics.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
- Spintronics
Background:
- The superconducting diode effect (SDE) enables dissipationless, directional supercurrents, crucial for energy-efficient superconducting technologies.
- Achieving high SDE efficiency without external magnetic fields is a significant challenge in superconductor research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose and demonstrate a strongly enhanced, field-free SDE in engineered Pt/Co/Nb heterostructures.
- To investigate the mechanisms behind the enhanced nonreciprocity in these heterostructures.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of Pt/Co/Nb heterostructures with engineered geometric asymmetry.
- Utilizing stray magnetic fields from a perpendicularly magnetized Co layer.
- Conducting temperature- and field-dependent transport measurements.
- Performing micromagnetic simulations to support experimental findings.
Main Results:
- Achieved a strongly enhanced, field-free SDE exceeding previous reports in ferromagnet/superconductor multilayers.
- Demonstrated directional vortex entry and spatially selective pinning.
- Identified asymmetric vortex entry, localized magnetic pinning, and Lorentz-force imbalance as key contributing mechanisms.
Conclusions:
- The developed Pt/Co/Nb heterostructures offer a CMOS-compatible platform for high-performance superconducting rectifiers.
- This work opens new avenues for cryogenic spintronics and quantum electronic devices.
- The findings highlight the potential of engineered asymmetry and magnetic interplay for advanced superconducting functionalities.
Keywords:
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