Width of the $0-\pi$ phase transition in diffusive magnetic Josephson junctions

Abstract

We investigate the Josephson current between two superconductors (S) which are connected through a diffusive magnetic junction with a complex structure (F${}_c$). Using the quantum circuit theory, we obtain the phase diagram of 0 and $\pi$ Josephson couplings for F${}_c$ being a IFI (insulator-ferromagnet-insulator) double barrier junction or a IFNFI structure (where N indicates a normal metal layer). Compared to a simple SFS structure, we find that the width of the transition, defined by the interval of exchange fields in which a $0-\pi$ transition is possible, is increased by insulating barriers at the interfaces and also by the presence of the additional N layer. The widest transition is found for symmetric F${}_c$ structures. The symmetric SIFNFIS presents the most favorable condition to detect the temperature induced $0-\pi$ transition with a relative width, which is five times larger than that of the corresponding simple SFS structure.

6 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. B

References in corpus (3)

• The role of interface transparency and spin-dependent scattering in diffusive ferromagnet/superconductor heterostructures
• Phase Diagrams of Ferromagnet-Superconductor Multilayers with Misaligned Exchange Fields
• Nonsinusoidal current-phase relations and the $0-\pi$ transition in diffusive ferromagnetic Josephson junctions