Josephson Tunneling Controlled by Spin-Orbit Interaction

Explore the fascinating effects of spin-orbit interaction on Josephson tunneling in superconducting Cooper pairs through this comprehensive lecture. Delve into the quantum mechanical fluctuations of electronic spin induced by tunneling at an electric point contact. Discover how this process transforms a BCS condensate into a quantum superposition of singlet and triplet pairs. Learn about the electrostatic and mechanical control of the relative admixture of these pairs and their distinct contributions to Josephson charge and spin currents. Examine the role of singlet pairs in Josephson charge flow and the contribution of spin-polarized pairs to injected Josephson spin current. Gain insights into the potential new functionalities of spin-active Josephson junctions and their implications for superconductivity research and applications.