Driving Josephson Junctions with Spin-Orbit Coupling

A common approach to drive Josephson junctions (JJs) out of equilibrium is to apply bias current. However, in planar Josephson junctions (JJs), which provide a suitable platform to realize topological superconductivity and the superconducting diode effect [1,2], we predict another mechanism due to the time-dependent spin-orbit coupling (SOC). Based on Al/InAs JJs, where the steady-state gate-control of SOC has already been demonstrated [1], we propose to instead consider time-dependent SOC. As a result, we show that both driving JJs as well as their switching from on to off state is possible even without any bias current. We explain the underlying dynamics in JJs and modified current-phase relations, as well as how they are connected to the time-dependent superconducting diode effect.



[1] M. C. Dartiailh et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 126, 036802 (2021).

[2] M. Amudsen et al., arXiv:2210.03549, Rev. Mod. Phys (under review).

[3] D. Monroe, M. Alidoust, I. Žutić, Phys Rev. App. 18, L031001 (2022)