Spin-Orbit Splitting of Andreev States Revealed by Microwave Spectroscopy

TOSI, L.; METZGER, C.; GOFFMAN, M.F.; URBINA, C.; POTHIER, H.; PARK, SUNGHUN; YEYATI, A. LEVY; NYGÅRD, J.; KROGSTRUP, P.

Physical Review X

American Physical Society

Año: 2019 vol. 9

We perform microwave spectroscopy of Andreev states in superconducting weak links tailored in an InAs-Al (core-full shell) epitaxially grown nanowire. The spectra present distinctive features with bundles of four lines crossing when the superconducting phase difference across the weak link is 0 or π. We interpret these features as arising from zero-field spin-split Andreev states. A simple analytical model, which takes into account the Rashba spin-orbit interaction in a nanowire containing several transverse subbands, explains these features and their evolution with magnetic field. Our results show that the spin degree of freedom is addressable in Josephson junctions and constitute a first step towards its manipulation.