Proximity effect and spontaneous vortex phase in planar SF structures

The proximity effect in SF structures is examined. It is shown that, due to the oscillations of the induced superconducting order parameter in a ferromagnet, the critical temperature of an SF bilayer becomes minimal when the thickness of the ferromagnetic layer is close to a quarter of the period of spatial oscillations. It is found that the spontaneous vortex state arising in the superconductor due to the proximity of the magnetic domain structure of a ferromagnet brings about noticeable magnetoresistive effects.     

Inhomogeneous superconductivity induced in a ferromagnet by proximity effect

Planar tunneling spectroscopy reveals damped oscillations of the superconducting order parameter induced into a ferromagnetic thin film by the proximity effect. The oscillations are due to the finite momentum transfer provided for Cooper pairs by the splitting of the spin-up and spin-down bands in the ferromagnet. As a consequence, for negative values of the superconducting order parameter the tunneling spectra are capsized ("pi state"). The oscillations' damping and period are set by the same length scale, which depends on the spin polarization.     

Possible Evidence for Spin-Transfer Torque Induced by Spin-Triplet Supercurrents

The mutual interplay between superconductivity and magnetism in superconductor/ferromagnet heterostructures may give rise to unusual proximity effects beyond current knowledge. Especially, spin-triplet Cooper pairs could be created at carefully engineered superconductor/ferromagnet interfaces. Here we report a giant proximity effect on spin dynamics in superconductor/ferromagnet/superconductor Josephson junctions. Below the superconducting transition temperature T_C, the ferromagnetic resonance field at X-band(~9.0 GHz) shifts rapidly to a lower field with decreasing temperature. In strong contrast, this phenomenon is absent in ferromagnet/superconductor bilayers and superconductor/insulator/ferromagnet/superconductor multilayers. Such an intriguing phenomenon can not be interpreted by the conventional Meissner effect. Instead, we propose that the strong influence on spin dynamics could be due to spin-transfer torque associated with spin-triplet supercurrents in ferromagnetic Josephson junctions with precessing magnetization.     

The oscillation dependence of the critical current on the exchange field of ferromagnetic metals (F) in Josephson junction S-F-S

The Josephson current of the junction S-F-S is calculated in the case of ODSEE model and for broad junction. The critical current depends on the exchange field and on the thickness of a pure ferromagnetic metal F. The oscillations are absent in the dirty ferromagnet. In a superconducting ring with S-F-S junction a spontaneous current is present under some conditions.     

Proximity effect in multiterminal hybrid structures

We consider the proximity effect in multiterminal ferromagnet/superconductor (FSF) hybrid structures in which two or three electrodes are connected to a superconductor. We show that two competing effects take place in these systems: (i) pair breaking effects due to the response to the exchange field induced in the superconductor; (ii) a reduction of the superconducting order parameter at the interface that takes place already in NS junctions. We focus on this second effect that dominates if the thickness of the S layer is small enough. We consider several single-channel electrodes connected to the same site. We calculate the superconducting order parameter and the local density of state (LDOS). With two ferromagnetic electrodes connected to a superconductor we find that the superconducting order parameter in the ferromagnetic alignment is larger than the superconducting order parameter in the antiferromagnetic alignment ( > ), in agreement with [Eur. Phys. J. B 25, 373 (2002)]. If a third spin polarized electrode is connected to a superconductor we find that - can change sign as the transparency of the third electrode increases. This can be understood from the fact that the superconducting order parameter is reduced if pair correlations among the ferromagnetic electrodes increase. If the two ferromagnetic electrodes are within a finite distance we find Friedel oscillations in the Gorkov function but we still obtain > .     

Reentrant superconductivity in Nb/Cu1-xNix bilayers

We report on the first observation of a pronounced reentrant superconductivity phenomenon in a superconductor/ferromagnet layered system. The results were obtained using a superconductor/ferromagnetic-alloy bilayer of Nb/Cu(1-x)Ni(x). The superconducting transition temperature T(c) drops sharply with increasing thickness dCuNi) of the ferromagnetic layer, until complete suppression of superconductivity is observed at d(CuNi) approximately equal to 4 nm. Increasing the Cu(1-x)Ni(x) layer thickness further, superconductivity reappears at d(CuNi) > or =13 nm. Our experiments give evidence for the pairing function oscillations associated with a realization of the quasi-one-dimensional Fulde-Ferrell-Larkin-Ovchinnikov-like state in the ferromagnetic layer.     

Ferromagnet–superconductor hybrids

The new class of phenomena described in this review is based on the interaction between spatially separated, but closely located ferromagnets and superconductors, the so-called ferromagnet–superconductor hybrids (FSH). Typical FSH are: coupled uniform and textured ferromagnetic and superconducting films, magnetic dots over a superconducting film, magnetic nanowires in a superconducting matrix, etc. The interaction is provided by the magnetic field generated by magnetic textures and supercurrents. The magnetic flux from magnetic structures or topological defects can pin vortices or create them, changing the transport properties and transition temperature of the superconductor. On the other hand, the magnetic field from supercurrents (vortices) strongly interacts with the magnetic subsystem, leading to formation of coupled magnetic–superconducting topological defects.

The proximity of ferromagnetic layer dramatically changes the properties of the superconducting film. The exchange field in ferromagnets not only suppresses the Cooper-pair wavefunction, but also leads to its oscillations, which in turn leads to oscillations of observable values: the transition temperature and Josephson current. In particular, in the ground state of the Josephson junction the relative phase of two superconductors separated by a layer of ferromagnetic metal is equal to?π?instead of the usual zero (the so-called π-junction). Such a junction carries a spontaneous supercurrent and possesses other unusual properties. Theory predicts that rotation of magnetization transforms s-pairing into p-pairing. The latter is not suppressed by the exchange field and serves as a carrier of long-range interaction between superconductors.     

Triplet superconducting correlations in oxide heterostructures with a composite ferromagnetic interlayer

The superconducting current induced by the penetration of the long-range triplet component of superconducting correlations into a composite ferromagnetic interlayer has been detected in mesa-heterostructures based on oxide cuprate superconductors YBa₂Cu₃O_{7 ? δ} and Au/Nb bilayer films with the composite oxide interlayer that is made of ferromagnetic films of manganite La_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃ and ruthenate SrRuO₃ and has a thickness much larger than the length of correlations determined by the exchange field. The deviation of the superconducting current in the mesa-heterostructure with the fraction of the second harmonic of 13% from a sinusoidal current-phase relation has been detected; this deviation can also be due to the generation of the triplet component of superconducting correlations in the ferromagnet.     

Nanowire acting as a superconducting quantum interference device

We present the results from an experimental study of the magnetotransport of superconducting wires of amorphous indium-oxide having widths in the range 40-120 nm. We find that, below the superconducting transition temperature, the wires exhibit clear, reproducible, oscillations in their resistance as a function of magnetic field. The oscillations are reminiscent of those that underlie the operation of a superconducting quantum interference device.     

磁性d波超导/铁磁/磁性d波超导结中的约瑟夫森效应

通过求解磁性d波超导中的能隙和磁交换能的自洽方程, 研究磁性d波超导/铁磁/磁性d波超导结中的约瑟夫森电流. 计算结果表明: 1)临界电流随中间的铁磁层厚度呈现出两种不同周期的振荡混合, 通过增强铁磁层中的磁交换能q₀和铁磁/磁性d波超导界面处的势垒强度z₀, 短周期分量可从长周期中分离出来, 反之, 通过降低q₀和z₀, 长周期分量可从短周期中分离出来; 2)在两边磁性d波超导的磁化方向取平行时, 在取一些特定的铁磁层厚度下, 磁性d波超导中的磁交换能可增强系统的临界电流. 关键词： 磁性d波超导体 铁磁体 约瑟夫森电流     

Alternating-current losses in two-layer superconducting cables consisting of second-generation superconductors coated by U-shaped ferromagnetic materials

Alternating-current losses in a two-layer superconducting cable, each layer being composed of 15 closely-spaced rectangular wires made up of second-generation superconductors when the ends of wires are coated by either a non-magnetic or strong ferromagnetic material having a U profile is numerically investigated. Computations are carried out through the finite-element method. The alternating-current losses do not increase significantly if the relative permeability of the coating is increased three orders of magnitude, provided that the current amplitude is less than half of the critical current in a superconducting wire. However, the losses are much higher for ferromagnetic coating if the amplitude of the applied current oscillating at 50 Hz is close to the critical current. The ferromagnetic coating is seen to accumulate the magnetic field lines normally on its surfaces, while the field lines are parallel to the long axes of the wires, leading to more significant flux penetration in the coated regions. This facilitates a uniform low-loss current flow in the uncoated regions of the wires. In contrast, coating with a non-magnetic material gives rise to a considerably smaller current flow in the uncoated regions, whereas the low-loss flow is maintained in the coated regions. Moreover, the current flows in opposite directions in the coated and uncoated regions, where the direction in each region is converse for the two materials.     

Ferromagnetic features of zero-bias conductance peaks in a ferromagnet/insulator/superconductor junction

We present a general formula for tunneling conductance in ballistic ferromagnet/ferromagnetic insulator/superconductor junctions where the superconducting state has the opposite spin pairing symmetry. The formula shows, correctly, that ferromagnetism has been induced by the effective mass difference between up- and down-spin electrons. This effectively mass mismatched ferromagnet and a standard Stoner ferromagnet have been employed in this paper. As an application of the formulation, we have studied the tunneling effect for junctions including a spin-triplet p-wave superconductor, where we choose a normal insulator for the insulating region, although our formula can be used for a ferromagnetic insulator. Then, we have been able to devote our attention to features of a ferromagnetic metal. The conductance spectra show a clear difference between the two ferromagnets depending upon the method of normalization of the conductance. In particular, an essential difference is seen in the zero-bias conductance peaks, reflecting the characteristics of each ferromagnet. From the obtained results, we suggest that the measurements of the tunneling conductance in the junction provide us with useful information about the mechanism of itinerant ferromagnetism in metals.     

Distribution of pairing functions in superconducting spin valve SF1F2

The distribution of the spin-singlet component, the short-range spin-triplet component with zero projection, and the long-range spin-triplet component with projection ±1 of the superconducting pairing function has been obtained for different regimes of switching of a spin valve with a three-layer heterostructure (superconductor/ferromagnet/ferromagnet). The distribution of the components is discussed as the main reason for the behavior of the superconducting transition temperature as a function of the angle between the magnetic moments of the ferromagnetic layers in these regimes.     

Odd triplet superconductivity in superconductor-ferromagnet multilayered structures

We demonstrate that in multilayered superconductor-ferromagnet structures a noncollinear alignment of the magnetizations of different ferromagnetic layers generates a triplet superconducting condensate which is odd in frequency. This triplet condensate coexists in the superconductors with the conventional singlet one but decays very slowly in the ferromagnet, which should lead to a large Josephson effect between the superconductors separated by the ferromagnet. Depending on the mutual direction of the ferromagnetic moments, the Josephson coupling can be both of 0 and of pi type.     

Spontaneous Josephson spin current in triplet superconductor/ferromagnet/triplet superconductor junctions

This paper theoretically studies Josephson spin current through triplet superconductor/ferromagnet/triplet superconductor junctions. At the ferromagnet/superconductor interfaces, the ferromagnetic scattering potential gives rise to coupling between the Andreev bound states and lifts their spin degeneracy. These spin-split Andreev states carry the Josephson spin current through the junctions. The generated spin supercurrent can be controlled by the magnetization of a ferromagnetic thin layer and bias voltage across the junctions.     

Magnetization modification by superconductivity in Nb/Ni80Fe20/Nb trilayers

We present experimental evidences for magnetization modification by superconductivity in a series of Nb/Ni₈₀Fe₂₀/Nb trilayers. By monitoring the magnetization in a zero field as a function of temperature, we observed an irreversibility in magnetization between the cooling and warming branches just above the superconducting transition temperature T_c. These results suggest that the magnetization of the ferromagnetic Ni₈₀Fe₂₀ layer is reduced by the mutual interactions between the ferromagnet and superconductor. Moreover, this effect diminishes with increasing thickness of the Ni₈₀Fe₂₀ layer, which indicates that the interaction between the superconducting and magnetic layers occurs mainly at the vicinity of the interfaces.     

Ferromagnetic,spin-glass and paramagnetic phases in diluted heisenberg ferromagnet with fluctuating exchange bonds

We construct a simple CPA for studying ferromagnets which simultaneously possess site and (isotropic) exchange bond disorders. We use the theory to study spin-wave stiffness in diluted ferromagnet with exchange amorphousness and analyze the structure of the interfaces between ferromagnetic, spin-glass and paramagnetic phases of such a system.     

Spin dynamics in a superconductor-ferromagnet proximity system

The ferromagnetic resonance of thin sputtered Ni80Fe20 films grown on Nb is measured. By varying the temperature and the thickness of the Nb the role of the superconductivity on the whole ferromagnetic layer in these heterostructures is explored. The change in the spin transport properties below the superconducting transition of the Nb is found to manifest itself in the Ni80Fe20 layer by a sharpening in the resonance of the ferromagnet, or a decrease in the effective Gilbert damping coefficient, showing that the superconductivity affects the macrospin of the ferromagnetic layer. We interpret this in terms of the spin-pumping model.     

Diffusion of a pulsed field and electromagnetic forces in ferromagnets

Self-similar solutions of the magnetic field distribution in a conducting ferromagnet with a non-linear permeability are considered. The velocity of magnetic field penetration is calculated in various models of ferromagnetic properties of the conductor. Using the Maxwell tensor, equations are derived for bulk forces taking into account the possibility of saturation of the ferromagnet. A numerical solution for the distributions of the magnetic induction and of the density of the bulk force in a ferromagnetic conductor is obtained using the Preisach model taking hysteresis into account.     

Interdependence of magnetism and superconductivity in the borocarbide TmNi2B2C

We have discovered a new antiferromagnetic phase in TmNi2B2C by neutron diffraction. The ordering vector is Q(A) = (0.48,0,0) and the phase appears above a critical in-plane magnetic field of 0.9 T. The field was applied in order to test the assumption that the zero-field magnetic structure at Q(F) = (0.094,0.094,0) would change into a c-axis ferromagnet if superconductivity were destroyed. We present theoretical calculations which show that two effects are important: a suppression of the ferromagnetic component of the RKKY exchange interaction in the superconducting phase and a reduction of the superconducting condensation energy due to the periodic modulation of the moments at Q(A).