Dissipation-enabled fractional Josephson effect

Journal article (2018)

Authors

D.C. Sticlet QN/Akhmerov Group - AS , National Institute for Research and Development of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies, Kavli institute of nanoscience Delft
Jay D. Sau University of Maryland
A.R. Akhmerov Kavli institute of nanoscience Delft, QN/Akhmerov Group - AS
Research Group
QN/Akhmerov Group (AS) (TU Delft)
Copyright: © 2018 D.C. Sticlet, Jay D. Sau, A.R. Akhmerov
DOI
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https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.98.125124
More Info
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Published Date

2018

Language

English

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Faculty

Applied Sciences

Department

QN/Quantum Nanoscience

Research Group

QN/Akhmerov Group

Abstract

The anomalous 4π-periodic ac Josephson effect, a hallmark of topological Josephson junctions, was experimentally observed in a quantum spin Hall insulator. This finding is unexpected due to time-reversal symmetry preventing the backscattering of the helical edge states and therefore suppressing the 4π-periodic component of the Josephson current. Here, we analyze the two-particle inelastic scattering as a possible explanation for this experimental finding. We show that a sufficiently strong inelastic scattering restores the 4π-periodic component of the current beyond the short Josephson junction regime. Its signature is an observable peak in the power spectrum of the junction at half the Josephson frequency. We propose to use the exponential dependence of the peak width on the applied bias and the magnitude of the dc current as means of verifying that the inelastic scattering is indeed the mechanism responsible for the 4π-periodic signal.