Inhomogeneity-Induced Time-Reversal Symmetry Breaking in Cuprate Twist-Junctions

Abstract

The lowest order Josephson coupling, $J_1(\theta )\cos (\varphi )$, between two d-wave superconductors with phase-difference $\varphi$ across the junction vanishes when their relative orientation is rotated by $\theta =\pi /4$. However, in the presence of inhomogeneity, $J_1(\mathbf{r})$ is non-zero locally, with a sign that fluctuates in space. We show that such a random $J_1$ generates a global second-harmonic Josephson coupling, $J_2\cos (2\varphi )$, with a sign that favors $\varphi =\pm \pi /2$, i.e., spontaneous breaking of time reversal symmetry. The magnitude of $J_2$ is substantially enhanced if the spatial correlations of $J_1(\mathbf{r})$ extend over large distances, such as would be expected in the presence of large amplitude twist-angle angle disorder or significant local electronic nematicity. We argue that this effect likely accounts for the recent observations in twisted Josephson junctions between high temperature superconductors.

5 (main text) +5 (appendix) pages, 1 (main text) +1 (appendix) figures

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• Engineering Ponderomotive Potential for Realizing $\pi$ and $\pi /2$ Bosonic Josephson Junctions
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