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.

arXiv comment5 (main text) +5 (appendix) pages, 1 (main text) +1 (appendix) figures

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• Exactly Solvable Model of Randomly Coupled Twisted Superconducting Bilayers
• Preserving the Josephson Coupling of Twisted Cuprate Junctions via Tailored Silicon Nitride Circuits Boards
• Phase sensitive information from a planar Josephson junction
• Exploring van der Waals cuprate superconductors using a hybrid microwave circuit
• Twisted Nodal Superconductors
• Engineering Ponderomotive Potential for Realizing $\pi$ and $\pi /2$ Bosonic Josephson Junctions
• Dynamical signatures and control of time-reversal breaking in twisted nodal superconductors
• Gap structure and phase diagram of twisted bilayer cuprates from a microscopic perspective