Gate-tunable giant superconducting nonreciprocal transport in few-layer $T_{\mathrm{d}}$-MoTe${}_2$

Abstract

We demonstrate gate-tunable giant field-dependent nonreciprocal transport (magnetochiral anisotropy) in a noncentrosymmetric superconductor $T_{\mathrm{d}}$-MoTe${}_2$ in the thin limit. Giant magnetochiral anisotropy (MCA) with a rectification coefficient ${\hat{I}}^3$ = $3.1\times 10^6$ T${}^{-1}$ A${}^{-1}$, is observed at 230 mK, below the superconducting transition temperature ($T_c$). This is one of the largest values reported so far and is likely attributed to the reduced symmetry of the crystal structure. The temperature dependence of ${\hat{I}}^3$ indicates that the ratchet-like motion of magnetic vortices is the origin of the MCA, as supported by our theoretical model. For bilayer $T_{\mathrm{d}}$-MoTe${}_2$, we successfully perform gate control of the MCA and realize threefold modulation of ${\hat{I}}^3$. Our experimental results provide a new route to realizing electrically controllable superconducting rectification devices in a single material.

14 pages, 12 figures